Investigators Say National Guardsmen Shot Near White House Were Ambushed in Targeted Attack

FBI Director Kash Patel, Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, DC Metro Police Department Executive Assistant Chief Jeff Carroll provided an update after two West Virginia National Guardsmen deployed to D.C. were shot Wednesday afternoon. Despite a previous report by West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morissey stating that both National Guardsmen had succumbed to their injuries, the assembled officials confirmed that both are alive but are in critical condition.

READ MORE: Breaking: Two National Guard Members Shot Near White House, Now Reported in Critical Condition

Patel said that the FBI is leading the investigation into the shooting of the guardsmen, whom he said "were brazenly attacked in a horrendous act of violence." 

Kash Patel promises justice will be brought to the perpetrator who attacked two National Guardsmen in Washington DC today.

"Make no mistake, they will be brought to justice." pic.twitter.com/N9f4awBm2t

— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) November 26, 2025

Carroll said:

"At approximately 2:15 this afternoon, members of the National Guard were on high visibility patrols at 17 and I when suspect came around the corner, raised his arm with the firearm, and discharged at the National Guard members.

The suspect is in custody, being treated at a local hospital, and Carroll said that it's unclear at this time whether the suspect was shot by other National Guard members or other law enforcement officers in the area. He added that investigators believe that the suspect in custody acted alone "and ambushed these members of the National Guard."

Mayor Muriel Bowser described the attack as "a targeted shooting," also saying, "I, too, want to send my thoughts and prayers to the families of the guardsmen and to the guardsmen."

Washington, DC's mayor, Muriel Bowser, confirms this was a TARGETED ATTACK

"This is a targeted shooting." pic.twitter.com/vtES2IzJKy

— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) November 26, 2025

In response to the shooting, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said that more National Guardsmen will be surged to the city.