Washington DC flooded with troops by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in wake of National Guard shooting: Live updates

The suspect in custody following the shooting has been initially identified as an Afghan national, sources told NBC.

It is understood authorities are still trying to confirm his details.

The FBI will investigate the shooting as a potential act of terrorism, the insider said, although no motive has been confirmed and the nature of the investigation could shift as new details emerge.

FBI Director Kash Patel said the two National Guard members who were shot are in critical condition during a press conference.

‘Please send your prayers to those brave warriors, who are in critical condition, and their families. They are here serving our country,’ he said.

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson paid tribute to the injured National Guardsmen and called for prayer in a social media post on Wednesday night.

‘A suspect is now in custody following the tragic events in D.C. this afternoon,’ he wrote.

‘Please join us in prayer for the National Guardsmen who were shot near the White House today, and pray with us for their loved ones too.’

‘The National Guard has done heroic work this year working around the clock to make our nation’s capital safe again. We are forever grateful for the swift actions of law enforcement and for all those who risk their own lives to protect everyone else.’

Sources with knowledge of the investigation have told NBC News that both guard members were shot in the head.

They were both reported to be in a critical condition.

Jeffery Carroll, an executive assistant chief at the Metropolitan Police Department, said the suspect in custody for shooting two National Guard members ‘came around the corner’ and ‘immediately started firing a firearm’ at the troops, according to video reviewed by law enforcement.

Carroll said the National Guard in the area heard the gunfire and immediately responded.

Responding law enforcement were then able to ‘hold down the suspect after he had been shot.’

The White House’s Rapid Response X account has slammed a writer for the New Yorker who criticized the administration’s decision to deploy troops to Washington D.C. just hours after two troops were shot on duty.

After the tragedy, Jane Mayer wrote on X: ‘This is so tragic, so unnecessary, these poor guardsmen should never have been deployed.

‘I live in DC and watched as they had virtually nothing to do but pick up trash. It was for political show and at what a cost.’

Her comments were slammed as insensitive and ill-timed, and soon invoked a furious response from Trump administration officials.

‘Two of these heroes were just SHOT IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. The Guard has saved countless lives — backed up by evidence (which you’re clearly too stupid to notice). They are American Patriots,’ the Rapid Response account wrote.

‘You sick, disgusting ghoul.’

California Governor Gavin Newsom denounced the killings of two National Guardsmen in the nation’s capital as ‘horrific and unacceptable.’

‘There must be zero tolerance for violence – of any kind —-against the brave men and women in uniform who selflessly serve our communities and our country,’ Newsom wrote on social media.

‘Jen and I are praying for the service members, their families, and the entire National Guard community.’

Senate Majority Leader John Thune reacted to the shooting of two National Guard members in DC.

‘Thoughts and prayers are with the National Guardsmen who were attacked this afternoon,’ he wrote on social media.

‘I urge you to keep them in your prayers too.’

Jeffery Carroll, an executive assistant chief at the Metropolitan Police Department, said on Wednesday the suspect is believed to have acted alone.

‘It appears to be a lone gunman that raised a firearm and ambushed these members of the National Guard,’ Carroll said.

‘At this point, we have no other suspects.’

He added that the gunman was quickly taken into custody by National Guard members and law enforcement from MPD, the Secret Service and Metro Transit Police who were in the area.

Carroll said that law enforcement did not know what weapon was used to attack the National Guard members.

When asked whether the suspect had been questioned about his motives or actions, Carroll said that the investigation was ongoing.

‘We’re very preliminary in the investigation, so we’re looking into all aspects of who the individual is, his connections,’ Carroll said.

Carroll said he had been told the National Guard members who were shot had been armed, but said who had shot the suspect was part of the investigation.

The United States Park Police (USPP) confirmed that one of the victims was taken to the hospital via helicopter.

‘USPP responded to the scene of a shooting today at 17th and I St. NW, secured a landing zone near the Washington Monument, and transported one of the victims to a local hospital by USPP Aviation,’ the agency wrote on X.

‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.’

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said that Donald Trump has requested an additional 500 National Guard troops to Washington, DC, after Wednesday’s shooting.

‘This will only stiffen our resolve to ensure that we make Washington DC safe and beautiful,’ he said.

‘If criminals want to conduct things like this, violence against others best, we will never back down. President Trump will never back down.’