WASHINGTON: Two National Guard members were shot dead in Washington on Wednesday, US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a message on X, while the White House said it was on lockdown, with President Donald Trump away in Florida.
Washington police said separately that there was a shooting a block from the White House on Wednesday and that a suspect was in custody in the secure area.
“The president has been briefed,” White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said.
Trump, who is at his Palm Beach resort ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, condemned the attack that seriously injured two National Guardsmen near the White House, calling the suspected shooter “an animal that shot both National Guardsmen.”
In an article on Truth Social immediately after the incident, Trump said the suspect – who is also seriously injured – “will pay a very high price.”
“God bless our great National Guard, and all of our military and law enforcement. They are truly great people,” he wrote, adding that he and his office stood with the victims.
Later, the two members of the security forces succumbed to their injuries.
US Vice President JD Vance is in Kentucky.
The U.S. Secret Service did not respond to a request for comment.
