Two National Guard soldiers sustained head injuries just steps away from the White House in what is being investigated as a potential terrorist attack. The alleged assailant, identified as an Afghan national, acted alone according to authorities.

The suspect is currently in custody following a shootout at the Farragut West metro station in downtown Washington, DC. Both soldiers remain in critical condition, while the shooter also suffered injuries during the confrontation.

According to NBC News, law enforcement officials have confirmed the suspect’s identity as an Afghan national, and authorities are examining the incident as a possible act of terrorism.

Former President Donald Trump expressed his outrage, stating that the individual responsible for the attack on the soldiers “will pay a very steep price” for their actions.

FBI Director Kash Patel provided an update, noting that the wounded soldiers are receiving treatment at a local hospital. Earlier, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey mistakenly reported the soldiers’ deaths but later retracted his statement.

Photos from the scene depicted a soldier lying on the ground, bleeding from the head, as a Secret Service agent rendered medical assistance.

An unidentified trooper was seen on a stretcher inside an ambulance receiving medical attention at the scene of the shooting. 

The FBI, ATF and Secret Service swarmed on the scene as a helicopter landed on the National Mall to evacuate one of the wounded National Guardsmen. 

Trump has deployed 2,300 National Guard troops into DC since August as part of his promise to crack down on rampant crime in the nation’s capital.

A U.S. Capitol Park Police helicopter is seen on the National Mall evacuating a National Guard shooting victim

A stricken soldier in the back of an ambulance after being shot near the White House

FBI Director Kash Patel speaks during a press conference after two National Guard members were shot near the White House 

The president ordered an additional 500 troops to deploy following the shooting on Wednesday, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said, calling it a ‘cowardly, dastardly act, targeting the best of America.’ 

After the shooting, the president wrote on Truth Social: ‘God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement. 

‘These are truly Great People. I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!’ 

Law enforcement sources told CNN that the suspected shooter, who has not been publicly identified, is not cooperating with cops.

The suspect appeared to target the soldiers, firing first at one of the guardsmen who was mere feet away, according to the sources.

The suspect then allegedly fired at the other guardsman who tried to get behind a bus stop shelter.

The president was not at the White House at the time of the shooting because he flew to Mar-a-Lago yesterday for the Thanksgiving holiday. 

FBI Director Kash Patel called the shooting a ‘heinous act’ as he spoke to reporters at the scene.

Members of law enforcement, including the U.S. Marshals, respond to a shooting near the White House

A member of law enforcement with a rifle at the scene near the White House

Members of law enforcement, including the U.S. Marshals

Law enforcement officers stand close to the scene where two West Virginia National Guard members were shot

Law enforcement officials stand close to the scene where two West Virginia National Guard members were shot

‘Since this is an assault on a federal law enforcement officer, this will be treated at the federal level as an assault on a federal law enforcement officer,’ Patel said.

‘The FBI will lead out on that mission with our interagency partners to include the Department of Homeland Security, Secret Service, ATF, DEA, and we’re thankful for the mayor’s assistance in this matter.’

He was joined by DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said that she had briefed Attorney General Pam Bondi, who was speaking to Trump when she called, as well as US attorney for DC Jeanine Pirro.

‘I’m the mayor of Washington, D.C., and I too, want to send my thoughts and prayers to the families of the Guardsmen and to the Guardsmen who are in critical condition in a local hospital,’ the Democrat said.

‘We join with the FBI director in ensuring that MPD investigates [and] the U.S. attorney prosecutes this case to the fullest extent of the law.’ 

Journalist Mari Otsu said that he was riding a cab near the metro station when he heard multiple gunshots and saw a soldier fall to the ground.

‘National Guard shot near the White House at a little before 2.15[pm]. I was in an Uber to work, with my cameraman, and heard multiple shots fired as we passed Farragut West,’ journalist Mari Otsu wrote on X. 

‘A member of the National Guard fell while others rushed onto the scene. Area still on lockdown and Secret Service being deployed.’

A police helicopter circles above the secured area after a shooting in downtown Washington, DC

National Guard troops on the scene as US Marshals arrive 

A Secret Service member stands guard at the crime scene

A National Guard soldier helps secure a perimeter in downtown DC near the White House

Other pictures have emerged showing National Guard troops securing a perimeter in downtown DC, where the soldiers were shot.

The identity of the suspect has not been released to the public. 

Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer issued a statement praying for the National Guard soldiers.

‘My heart breaks for the victims of this horrific shooting in Washington DC near the White House. 

‘I am closely monitoring the situation and am praying for the wounded National Guardsmen and their families. I thank all the first responders for their quick action to capture the suspect.’

Commercial flights into Reagan Washington International Airport were briefly paused after the attack. 

The Federal Aviation Administration said this was due to ‘the locations of aircraft involved in responding to today’s shooting incident.’

Normal operations have since resumed.