Two National Guard Troops Shot Near White House, Suspect In Custody; Trump Calls Shooter 'Animal'

Law enforcement officials on Wednesday said that two US National Guard members were shot near the White House and are in critical condition. The gunman who shot them was also shot but has injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening, news agency Associated Press said.

Vito Maggiolo, the public information officer for the DC Fire and Emergency Services, told the news agency that emergency medical responders transported all three victims to a hospital.

“The White House is aware and actively monitoring this tragic situation. The President has been briefed,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

US President Donald Trump was at his West Palm Beach golf course when the shooting took place.

He shortly after the shooting took to Truth

Social to condemn the shooting and called the gunman an “animal”, threatening heavy price for the shooting.

“The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen, with both being critically wounded, and now in two separate hospitals, is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price,” he said.

Police tape cordoned off the scene where emergency fire and police vehicles’ lights flashed and helicopter blades thudded overhead. Agents from the US Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were on scene, as National Guard troops stood sentry nearby. At least one helicopter landed on the National Mall.

The Joint DC Task Force confirmed they responded to the incident after reports of the shooting. The Metropolitan Police Department said they were responding to a shooting, but didn’t immediately provide more information.

A spokesperson for DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said that local leaders were actively monitoring the situation. Bowser had spent the morning at a Thanksgiving Day event at the Convention Center and then held a press conference to explain why she was not seeking reelection.

Hundreds of National Guard members from the district and several states have been patrolling the nation’s capital after President Donald Trump in August issued an emergency order in the capital, federalizing the local police force and sending in the guard from eight states and the District of Columbia.