Shooting near White House in US: Fatalities reported, shooter detained
Illustrative photo: the White House (Getty Images)
On November 26, a shooting occurred in Washington, just a few blocks from the White House. Two US National Guard service members were killed, and the shooter was seriously injured and detained, according to US media and Secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.
According to media reports, the shooting occurred just a few blocks from the White House. The US presidential residence was locked down according to security protocols, and several nearby government buildings were also placed on lockdown. The Federal Aviation Administration halted all flights.
An unknown assailant opened fire, injuring two US National Guard soldiers. Both were reported to be in critical condition, with one soldier shot in the head.
The shooter was "neutralized" by National Guard and police forces — preliminary reports indicate he was detained. Police suspect the attacker may not have acted alone and have urged people to leave the area.
US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem confirmed the shooting and the injuries of the two National Guard members.
"Please join me in praying for the two National Guardsmen who were just shot moments ago in Washington, D.C. The Department is working with local law enforcement to gather more information," she wrote.
US President Donald Trump also commented on the incident, stating that the shooter was reportedly injured during the apprehension.
"The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen, with both being critically wounded, and now in two separate hospitals, is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price. God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement. These are truly Great People," he wrote on his social media.
Update: West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey reported that both wounded National Guard members have died in the hospitals. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has joined the investigation into the incident.
Photo: social media
Assassination attempts on Trump: What is known
The most well-known assassination attempt on Trump occurred in 2024 during his election campaign. On July 13, 2024, at a rally in Butler, Trump was shot at with a semi-automatic rifle.
The shooter was identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crux. One of his bullets grazed Trump’s ear, one man in the crowd behind Trump was killed, and two others were injured. The shooter was neutralized in return fire.
A second possible attempt occurred on September 15, 2024. During a golf game at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, shots were fired near the future president. Authorities subsequently arrested 58-year-old Hawaii resident Ryan Raut.
On October 19, the US Secret Service, which protects Trump, discovered a suspicious "sniper position" with a line of sight to where the president would disembark from Air Force One. However, it remains unclear whether this was an actual assassination attempt in preparation or not.
