Two National Guard Members Shot Near White House in Washington DC

What Happened at Farragut Square

At approximately 2:20 PM ET on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, a shooting incident occurred at 17th Street and I Street NW in Washington DC, right next to Farragut Square Park. The location is merely two blocks north of the White House and adjacent to the Farragut West Metro station entrance.

According to law enforcement sources, at least three people were injured by gunfire during the incident. Two of the victims have been confirmed as National Guard members who were on deployment in the nation's capital. A third person, identified as the shooting suspect, was also wounded and taken into custody by the Metropolitan Police Department shortly before 3 PM.

Condition of the Victims

President Donald Trump, who is currently at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida for the Thanksgiving holiday, described both National Guard members as "critically wounded" in a social media statement. The two Guard members were transported to separate hospitals and remain in critical condition.

Emergency medical responders evacuated one victim via medical helicopter from the scene, while the other two individuals—including the second Guard member—were transported by ambulance. The shooting suspect, who sustained injuries during what law enforcement describes as an "exchange of gunfire," is reported to have non-life-threatening wounds.

Immediate Response and Security Measures

Dozens of emergency vehicles, including units from the Metropolitan Police Department, Park Police, Secret Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives converged on the scene within minutes of the shooting. At least one helicopter landed on the National Mall to assist with medical evacuations.

The area around Farragut Square was immediately cordoned off, with several blocks sealed for investigation. Metro Transit Police asked customers to avoid the Farragut West station. Additionally, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport temporarily halted departures around 3:20 PM due to security concerns and to ensure safe helicopter operations over the District—a particularly significant disruption during the busy Thanksgiving travel period.

Presidential and Official Statements

President Trump issued a strong statement on Truth Social: "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."

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the president had been briefed on the situation. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated her department was "working with local law enforcement to gather more information" about the incident.

Context: National Guard Deployment in DC

The shooting comes amid heightened National Guard presence in Washington DC. Hundreds of Guard members from multiple states have been deployed to the nation's capital following President Trump's emergency order issued in August 2025. The deployment federalized local police and brought in National Guard troops from eight states plus the District of Columbia.

Just last week, a federal judge ruled that the National Guard deployment, particularly involving out-of-state Guard members, was likely unlawful. The judge issued a temporary block on the deployment but paused its enforcement for three weeks to minimize disruptions. That order was scheduled to take effect on December 11, 2025.

Eyewitness Accounts

Several witnesses reported seeing National Guard members running toward the scene immediately after the gunshots. Nyla McGee, a DC resident who was in nearby Franklin Square, stated: "We saw the National Guard specifically running toward this way and that's why we were kind of shocked because I've never seen National Guards running unless it's something serious."

Tim Moye, 48, visiting from Albany, Georgia, was walking up K Street when he heard five shots. "I knew right away it was shooting," Moye said. "I just saw a bunch of people start running as soon as those shots came."

Multiple witnesses reported hearing two initial shots followed by a rapid barrage of gunfire in quick succession, suggesting an exchange between the suspect and responding personnel.

Ongoing Investigation

The Metropolitan Police Department, working in coordination with federal agencies, continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Evidence markers were visible throughout the large cordoned area around the Farragut West Metro Station.

The Joint DC Task Force, which coordinates National Guard deployments and operations in the capital, confirmed they were aware of the incident and responding accordingly. Mayor Muriel Bowser's office indicated local leadership was actively monitoring the evolving situation.

Location Significance

Farragut Square is a prominent public park in downtown Washington DC, bordered by Connecticut Avenue, K Street, 17th Street, and I Street NW. The square honors Admiral David Farragut, a Civil War naval hero, with a bronze statue erected in 1881. The area is a bustling commercial district filled with office buildings, hotels, and restaurants, and serves as a major transportation hub with the Farragut West and Farragut North Metro stations nearby.

The proximity to the White House—just two blocks away—made the incident particularly concerning from a security standpoint, though both President Trump and Vice President JD Vance were out of the District at the time of the shooting.