A shooting just blocks from the White House sent Washington into chaos on Wednesday afternoon. Around 2:20 p.m., gunfire erupted near the Farragut West Metro station, leaving two West Virginia National Guard members critically wounded and sparking confusion as officials scrambled to verify early reports. Governor Patrick Morrisey initially stated the Guardsmen had died, only to retract the announcement minutes later as details remained uncertain. A third injured person was also reported, though their identity wasn’t immediately known.
Police raced to the scene, quickly subduing the suspected gunman, who was injured during the confrontation and transported to a hospital under guard. All victims—including the suspect—were rushed to local medical centers while authorities tried to piece together what had happened.
Though neither the President nor Vice President was in Washington at the time, the symbolism of violence so close to the White House triggered an immediate lockdown. Staff members sheltered in place while Secret Service and police sealed off the surrounding streets and swept the area for additional threats.
The President responded almost instantly on Truth Social, condemning the attacker and praising the National Guard and law enforcement for their fast action. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later confirmed that the President had been briefed and that federal agencies were coordinating closely with D.C. officials.
The FBI joined the investigation immediately, reviewing footage, interviewing witnesses, and exploring whether the shooting was targeted or random. Because the National Guard presence in D.C. had recently increased amid a controversial federalization of local police, the fact that Guardsmen were among the victims set off fresh debates about safety and political tension in the capital.
Witnesses described panic near the Metro entrance as people fled and police vehicles flooded downtown streets. Even after the suspect was in custody, uncertainty lingered, with the area shut down and investigators combing the scene. Inside the White House, staff remained locked down until security officials declared the threat contained.
By evening, officials reported that the Guardsmen were alive but in critical condition. The suspect remained hospitalized under watch, and investigators said they were not searching for additional shooters.
The incident left Washington shaken and raised difficult questions: How did a gunman get so close to such a secure area? Were the Guardsmen targeted? And what security measures may need to change? For now, the shooting stands as another stark reminder of how quickly calm can collapse into crisis—even at the doorstep of the nation’s most protected building.