A motive in the shooting of two West Virginia National Guard members who were deployed to the nation’s capital remained unclear as federal authorities accused an Afghan national of ambushing troops in what they said was a "targeted" attack.
The National Guard members were part of a "high-visibility patrol" near the White House on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 26, when the suspect came around the corner and opened fire, according to Metropolitan Police Assistant Chief Jeff Carroll. After a "back-and-forth exchange," Carroll said other troops subdued and detained the shooter.
The two wounded Guard members were in critical condition at local hospitals, FBI Director Kash Patel said. They have not been publicly identified.
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey called the attack "an act of unspeakable violence."
Officials said the shooter appeared to have acted alone. Both President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem have confirmed that the suspect entered the U.S. from Afghanistan in 2021 under a Biden-era program.
