Two National Guard shot near White House in critical condition; suspect in custody

National Guard patrol along the National Mall in front of the Capitol

FBI Director Kash Patel told reporters Wednesday two National Guard troops shot blocks away from the White House in downtown Washington were critically wounded, clarifying earlier erroneous reports that they had died.

"Two of our brave members of the National Guard... were brazenly attacked in a horrendous act of violence. They were shot. They're in critical condition," he told a news conference.

A suspect, who is now in custody, was also shot and sustained injuries that are not considered life-threatening, according to a law enforcement official who was not authorised to speak publicly and provided the information to AP on condition of anonymity. One of the Guard members was shot in the head, a person familiar with the incident told AP, also on condition of anonymity.

“The president has been briefed,” White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said.

"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," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

President Donald Trump is currently at his Palm Beach resort ahead of Thanksgiving, while U.S. Vice President JD Vance is in Kentucky.

A witness described scenes of panic near the White House as the incident unfolded. Stacey Walters, 43, told Reuters that she was in an Uber around 2:15 p.m. ET (1915 GMT) when she heard two loud booms and saw children and other pedestrians running away. She said she heard someone shouting “Help! Help!” and saw what appeared to be U.S. Secret Service agents chasing a person wearing a hooded sweatshirt.

Hundreds of National Guard troops from the District of Columbia and several states have been deployed across the capital since August, after Trump issued an emergency order federalising the local police force and bringing in guard units from eight states along with DC’s own contingent.

*With Agency Inputs