Two West Virginia National Guard members who deployed to the nation鈥檚 capital were shot Wednesday just blocks from the White House in a brazen act of violence.
The West Virginia governor initially said the troops had died, but later walked back the statement to say the office was 鈥渞eceiving conflicting reports about the condition.鈥� The governor鈥檚 office did not immediately respond to questions about the attack and the condition of the troops.
A suspect, now in custody, was also shot and has injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening, according to a law enforcement official not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity. One National Guard member was shot in the head, according to a person familiar with the details of the incident who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Trump has asked him to add the additional Guard members following the shooting. There are currently 2,188 troops assigned to the joint task force operating in the city, according to the latest update.
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Former President Barack Obama: 鈥榁iolence has no place in America鈥�
鈥淰iolence has no place in America,鈥� the former president wrote on social media. 鈥淢ichelle and I are praying for the servicemembers shot in Washington, DC today, and send our love to their families as they enter this holiday season under the most tragic of circumstances.鈥�
West Virginia governor calls shooting 鈥榓n act of unspeakable violence鈥�
Morrisey called the shooting 鈥渁n act of unspeakable violence鈥� and vowed to ensure justice is served. In a brief video posted on social media, Morrisey said West Virginia and the president stand behind the guard.
鈥淥ur hearts, our thoughts, our prayers go out to the brave servicemembers, their families and the units who are enduring this terrible tragedy,鈥� Morrisey said in the video posted on X.
The governor didn鈥檛 address his , saying both guard members had died. About 20 minutes after that post, Morrisey said his office was hearing conflicting information about the condition of the Guard members.
Suspect in shooting of National Guard members near White House is Afghan national who entered US in 2021, AP sources say
Investigators believe the suspect is an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in September 2021 and has been living in Washington state, two law enforcement officials and a person familiar with the matter said.
The suspect has been identified by law enforcement officials as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, but authorities were still working to fully confirm his background, they said.
The people could not discuss details of an ongoing investigation and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.
鈥�- Eric Tucker, Michael R. Sisak, Alanna Durkin Richer and Mike Balsamo
JUST IN: Suspect in shooting of National Guard members near White House is Afghan national who entered US in 2021, AP sources say
Chief of the National Guard Bureau to travel to DC
Gen. Steven Nordhaus will leave Guantanamo Bay to be with Guard members in Washington, D.C., he and another official from the National Guard said in a video post on the social platform X.
鈥淲e are devastated by this senseless act of violence,鈥� said Nordhaus. 鈥淎nd We will remain on station to defend and protect our fellow citizens at home and abroad.鈥�
DC Attorney General condemns violence following the shooting of National Guard members
鈥淰iolence is never the answer and must be swiftly condemned by all,鈥� D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb wrote on social media.
鈥淭he National Guard are volunteers. They sign up to leave their regular jobs and families at a moment鈥檚 notice to serve their country. This is a heartbreaking day for DC and our nation. My thoughts are with the victims, their families, friends, and fellow Guardsmen,鈥� Schwalb added.
Schwalb brought the district鈥檚 lawsuit against the administration, which called the National Guard deployment illegal.
The attorney general had argued in court that it was unconstitutional for National Guard troops to be perpetually deployed to the district and has repeatedly said since the start of the federal intervention that the troops were better off in their home states.
House Speaker Mike Johnson calls for prayer for shot guardsmen, praises DC troop deployment
鈥淎 suspect is now in custody following the tragic events in D.C. this afternoon,鈥� the Republican House Speaker wrote on social media.
鈥淧lease 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.鈥�
Johnson added: 鈥淭he National Guard has done heroic work this year working around the clock to make our nation鈥檚 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.鈥�
JUST IN: Trump administration orders 500 more National Guard members to Washington after shooting, Hegseth says.
Police say suspect 鈥榗ame around corner鈥� and 鈥榠mmediately started firing鈥�
Jeffery Carroll, an executive assistant chief at the Metropolitan Police Department, said the suspect in custody for shooting two National Guard members 鈥渃ame around the corner鈥� and 鈥渋mmediately started firing a firearm鈥� 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 鈥渉old down the suspect after he had been shot.鈥�
JUST IN: DC mayor says National Guard members were victims of 鈥榯argeted shooting.鈥�
鈥�- The Associated Press
JUST IN: Two National Guard soldiers who were shot near White House are in critical condition, DC mayor and FBI director say.
鈥�- The Associated Press
West Virginia governor walks back statement that both National Guard members were killed
Gov. Patrick Morrisey initially said that both members of the state鈥檚 National Guard that were shot near the White House had passed away in a post on X.
About 20 minutes later, Morrisey said that his office was hearing 鈥渃onflicting reports about the condition of our two Guard members鈥� in another post, but did not elaborate further.
Two National Guard members shot just blocks from the White House
Two West Virginia National Guard members who deployed to the nation鈥檚 capital were shot Wednesday just blocks from the White House in a brazen act of violence.
The West Virginia governor initially said the troops had died, but later walked back the statement to say his office was 鈥渞eceiving conflicting reports鈥� about their condition. The governor鈥檚 office did not immediately respond to questions about the attack and the condition of the troops.
A suspect who was in custody also was shot and had wounds that were not believed to be life-threatening, according to a law enforcement official who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
鈥淲e are in ongoing contact with federal officials as the investigation continues,鈥� Gov. Patrick Morrisey said.
Law enforcement was reviewing surveillance video from the scene and believed the suspect approached the soldiers and pulled out a gun, said another law enforcement official who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.
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Witnesses tell AP they sheltered in a nearby cafe
Two women exited the metro station just after the shots were fired, and someone told them: 鈥渞un.鈥�
Emma McDonald and Leila Christopher told the AP that they ran to a cafe and hunkered down with others, including one that told them they鈥檇 heard six gunshots in quick succession.
Several minutes later, McDonald saw an EMT truck pull up, and then responders rolling a stretcher carrying a National Guard member whose head was covered in blood, she said. Eventually they were told the area was secured.
Vance urges public to pray for National Guardsmen
In Fort Campbell, Ky., Vice President JD Vance urged 鈥渆verybody who鈥檚 a person of faith鈥� to pray for the two National Guardsmen. He cautioned that much remained unknown, including the motive of the shooter.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 a somber reminder that soldiers, whether they鈥檙e active duty, reserve or National Guard, our soldiers are the sword and the shield of the United States of America,鈥� Vance said as he delivered a Thanksgiving message to troops.
Leader Thune expresses 鈥榯houghts and prayers鈥� after DC shooting
In a message posted on social media, Senate Majority Leader John Thune wrote that his 鈥渢houghts and prayers are with the National Guardsmen who were attacked this afternoon.鈥�
鈥淚 urge you to keep them in your prayers too,鈥� he added.
Witness describes hearing gunshots
Stacy Walters said she was near 17th Street in a car when she heard two gunshots, 鈥渂oom boom,鈥� and she noticed small children then others running.
Almost instantly law enforcement swarmed the area, she said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 such a beautiful day. Who would do this and we鈥檙e getting ready for the holidays?鈥�
The shooting happened at the corner of 17th and H Streets in the northwest quadrant of the city.
National Guard troops in DC have been a flashpoint issue
The presence of the National Guard in the nation鈥檚 capital has fueled a court fight and a broader public policy debate about the Trump administration鈥檚 use of the military to combat what officials cast as an out-of-control crime problem.
Trump issued an emergency order in August that federalized the local police force and sent in National Guard troops from eight states and the District of Columbia. The order expired a month later but the troops remained.
The soldiers have patrolled neighborhoods, train stations and other locations, participated in highway checkpoints and also have also been assigned to trash pickup and to guard sports events.
Last week, a federal judge ordered an end to the deployment but also put her order on hold for 21 days to allow the Trump administration time to either remove the troops or appeal the decision.
Flights were temporarily paused at Reagan National
Incoming flights to Reagan Washington National Airport were temporarily paused because of the locations of aircraft involved in responding to the shooting of two National Guardsmen, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Departing flights were not impacted and normal operations have now resumed.
The airport is located just outside of the federal district and is connected to the same rail line as the train station near where the shooting took place.
Other airports in the metropolitan area like Dulles International Airport and Baltimore-Washington International Airport were unaffected.
草莓传媒om denounces violence after shooting
California Gov. Gavin 草莓传媒om denounced the killings of two National Guardsmen in the nation鈥檚 capital as 鈥渉orrific and unacceptable鈥� in a statement on social media.
鈥淭here must be zero tolerance for violence 鈥� of any kind 鈥� against the brave men and women in uniform who selflessly serve our communities and our country,鈥� 草莓传媒om said.
鈥淛en and I are praying for the service members, their families, and the entire National Guard community,鈥� the Democratic governor added.
Social media video shows officers restraining an individual at the scene
Social media video shared from the immediate aftermath of the shooting showed first responders attempting CPR on one of the national guardsmen and treating the other amid a glass-strewn sidewalk.
Other officers could be seen steps away restraining an individual on the ground.
Two West Virginia National Guard members shot in DC have died, the state鈥檚 governor says
Two West Virginia National Guard members shot Wednesday near the White House have died, the state鈥檚 governor said.
Governor Patrick Morrisey confirmed their deaths in .
鈥淲e are in ongoing contact with federal officials as the investigation continues,鈥� he said.
A suspect who was in custody also was shot and has injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening, according to a law enforcement official not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity. One National Guard member was shot in the head, according to a person familiar with the details of the incident who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.
The shooting happened at the corner of 17th and H Streets in the northwest quadrant of the city, roughly two blocks northwest of the White House.
Suspect is in custody in the shooting of National Guard members in DC
A suspect is in custody in the shooting of National Guard members in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, police said.
Two guard soldiers were shot near the White House and their conditions aren鈥檛 immediately known, according to two law enforcement officials not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.
Emergency vehicles were seen responding to the area and at least one helicopter landed on the National Mall.
Two National Guard members shot in Washington, D.C., and their condition isn鈥檛 known, AP source says
Two National Guard soldiers were shot Wednesday near the White House and their conditions aren鈥檛 immediately known, according to a law enforcement official not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.
Emergency vehicles were seen responding to the area. The Joint DC Task Force confirmed they were responding to an incident in the vicinity of the White House in the movements after reports of the shooting. However, the spokesperson wouldn鈥檛 immediately confirm or deny if any National Guard members had been shot.
The Metropolitan Police Department said they were responding to a shooting but didn鈥檛 immediately provide more information.
A spokesperson for Mayor Muriel Bowser said that local leaders were actively monitoring the situation.
President Donald Trump was at his West Palm Beach golf course when the shooting took place.
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鈥楻ush Hour 4鈥� will be distributed by Paramount after Trump鈥檚 reported request
After President Donald Trump鈥檚 reported intervention, Paramount Pictures is set to distribute Brett Ratner鈥檚 鈥淩ush Hour 4,鈥� a project that Hollywood had eschewed after against the director.
Paramount Pictures on Tuesday was in closing talks to distribute the film, according to a person close to the negotiations who requested anonymity because they weren鈥檛 authorized to announce a deal. Paramount would be stepping in to take a distribution fee on the film, not finance it.
In 2017, during the #MeToo movement, six women said Ratner sexually harassed them in a Los Angeles Times report. Warner Bros., which had a $450-million co-financing deal with his production company, severed ties with Ratner. Ratner, who denied the allegations, hasn鈥檛 produced a film this decade.
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States sue to keep SNAP benefits for some lawful immigrants
Democratic state attorneys general are suing the Trump administration to keep from being taken away from groups of permanent residents in the U.S., including people granted asylum or admitted as refugees.
The top state government lawyers from 21 states and the District of Columbia say in Wednesday鈥檚 suit that the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued guidance to states in October calling for groups to be denied help from the food aid program even though this summer didn鈥檛 specifically exclude them.
The states say the penalties for providing the benefits to excluded groups are so severe that they put states in danger of shutting down their SNAP programs entirely.
The filing in federal court in Oregon is the latest chapter in a battle over the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which the administration during the government shutdown.
Parks advocacy group slams fee hike for international visitors
A coalition of current, former and retired employees at the National Park Service is denouncing a plan by the Trump administration to on top of the normal entrance fee. Fees for an annual park pass will also jump to $250 for international visitors.
鈥淚n a year where national park staff have already been cut by nearly 25%, we worry this will be yet another burden for already overworked employees,鈥� said Emily Thompson, executive director of the Coalition to Protect America鈥檚 National Parks.
Parks attract millions of international visitors every year who are 鈥渁n important economic driver for our parks and for gateway communities around the U.S., and this could end up negatively impacting them,鈥� Thompson added.
鈥淣ational parks should be available and accessible to all, or America鈥檚 best idea will become America鈥檚 greatest shakedown,鈥� she said.
How the new prosecutor in Georgia鈥檚 election interference case was chosen
The nonpartisan Prosecuting Attorneys鈥� Council of Georgia was tasked with replacing Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from the case after she was disqualified over an 鈥渁ppearance of impropriety鈥� created by a with the special prosecutor she鈥檇 chosen to lead the case.
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee set a Nov. 14 deadline for the appointment of a new prosecutor, so Pete Skandalakis, executive director for the Prosecuting Attorneys鈥� Council of Georgia rather than allowing the case to be dismissed.
鈥淪everal prosecutors were contacted and, while all were respectful and professional, each declined the appointment,鈥� Skandalakis said in an emailed statement.
Prosecutor declines to pursue Georgia election case against Trump
The prosecutor who recently took over the against Trump and others said in a court filing Wednesday that he has decided not to pursue the case further.
Pete Skandalakis, the executive director of the Prosecuting Attorneys鈥� Council of Georgia, took over the case earlier this month from Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who was removed over an 鈥渁ppearance of impropriety鈥� created by a with the special prosecutor she chose to lead the case.
It was unlikely that legal action against Trump could have moved forward while he is president. But 14 other defendants still faced charges, including former New York mayor and Trump attorney and former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows.
Steve Sadow, Trump鈥檚 lead attorney in Georgia, applauded the case鈥檚 dismissal.
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This story has been corrected to show that Pete Skandalakis took over the case earlier this month.
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