Two US national guard soldiers shot and suspect in custody in Washington DC

Two US national guard soldiers were shot on Wednesday near the White House and their conditions aren’t immediately known.

“Please join me in praying for the two National Guardsmen who were just shot moments ago in Washington DC” Kristi Noem, the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, posted on X, adding that the agency is working with local law enforcement to gather more information.

The incident happened near the Farragut West metro station and comes amid a controversial deployment of troops to the US capital city ordered by the Trump administration.

Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) wrote on X that the scene is secured and one suspect is in custody.

Emergency vehicles were seen responding to the area. Earlier, the MPD said that a “critical incident” occurred. “MPD is on the scene of a shooting at 17th and I Street, NW. Please avoid the area. Updates to come,” the post said.

Witnesses reported seeing several National Guard troops running across the square. Office buildings in the square were put under lockdown, with workers told to leave by rear door if they wished to leave the premises. The Guardian’s Washington office, located on Farragut Square Park, was under lockdown. Law enforcement officers also ordered staff in the buildings to stay away from glass doors adjoining the square.

The White House was also locked down.

“The White House is aware and actively monitoring this tragic situation,” said Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, in a statement. “The president has been briefed.”

There are an estimated 2,375 national guard troops positioned across Washington, where they’ve been deployed since August, when the Trump administration declared a “crime emergency” in the city and ordered them in to support federal and local law enforcement.

The deployment has been extended multiple times, and was reportedly ordered to continue through February 2026. A federal judge has since ruled the deployment illegal, but put the ruling on hold for 21 days, leaving the Guard remains in place while the administration decides whether to appeal.