Washington: Two members of the West Virginia National Guard deployed to the US capital are in critical condition after being shot in an apparent targeted attack just blocks from the White House on Wednesday afternoon, prompting a massive security response and renewed debate over the domestic use of troops in Washington, DC.
FBI Director Kash Patel and Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said the soldiers were rushed to hospital and described the incident as a “brazen” and “targeted” shooting in a high-security zone that remains under intense surveillance.
According to law enforcement officials, the suspect approached the Guard members while they were on patrol near the corner of 17th and I Streets NW, raised a handgun and opened fire at close range before being shot and subdued at the scene.
