BREAKING: Gunfire Erupts Near White House as At Least Two National Guard Members Shot in Apparent Targeted Attack

Update: DC Police said one suspect is in custody. The unidentified suspect was reportedly shot and taken to a hospital.

Washington, D.C. – November 26, 2025  At least two members of the National Guard were shot Wednesday evening just blocks from the White House, sources familiar with the incident told ABC News. The attack near 17th Street NW and Pennsylvania Avenue, has left one victim in critical condition and prompted a massive law enforcement response, with the suspected gunman still at large.

Eyewitnesses described hearing a series of rapid gunshots echoing through the historic district, followed by chaos as uniformed personnel scrambled for cover. "It was like something out of a movie—pop, pop, pop—and then everyone hit the deck," said one local resident who was walking her dog nearby. "These were soldiers, just standing there on patrol. Who does this?"

The victims, identified by authorities as National Guard troops deployed as part of President Donald Trump's controversial federal security initiative in Washington, D.C., were rushed to George Washington University Hospital. One service member was pronounced dead upon arrival, while the second remains in surgery fighting for their life, according to preliminary reports from the scene. Their identities have not been released pending notification of next of kin.

The U.S. Secret Service, which oversees White House security, confirmed the shooting in a terse statement shortly after 8 p.m., describing it as an "active shooter incident" involving military personnel. "Uniformed division officers responded immediately to reports of gunfire near the northwest perimeter," the agency said. "The area is secured, but the investigation is ongoing. We urge the public to avoid the vicinity."

This incident comes against a backdrop of simmering unrest in the capital. Just days ago, on November 20, a federal judge ordered an abrupt end to Trump's months-long deployment of over 2,100 National Guard troops in D.C., ruling it "unlawful" and a misuse of presidential authority. The order, which the White House has vowed to appeal, stemmed from lawsuits by Democratic lawmakers and civil rights groups who argued the mobilization—initially justified as protection against "violent attacks on law enforcement"—had devolved into little more than patrols and maintenance duties, such as clearing trash from the National Mall.

President Trump, who was inside the Oval Office at the time of the shooting, was briefly evacuated to a secure location before returning. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he called the victims "American heroes" and renewed calls for expanded military presence in urban areas. "SAD! Two great National Guard warriors gunned down near the People’s House. The Radical Left’s open borders and soft-on-crime policies are killing our finest. We will NOT let this stand! Law & Order NOW!" the post read, garnering over 500,000 likes within the hour.

Law enforcement sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, suggested the shooting may be linked to anti-government extremists opposed to the Guard's presence. The suspect is described as a white male in his late 20s, last seen fleeing on foot wearing a dark hoodie and carrying a semi-automatic rifle. The FBI has joined the manhunt, classifying the incident as potential domestic terrorism.

Social media erupted with reactions, blending grief, outrage, and speculation. "Praying for our troops— this is what happens when you defund security and embolden the crazies," wrote conservative commentator Kevin Smith, whose video of the chaotic aftermath quickly went viral. Others pointed fingers at the recent court ruling, with one user posting, "Democrats' hands are dripping with blood tonight."

As the sun sets on a city already on edge, D.C. police have cordoned off a five-block radius, with helicopters buzzing overhead and additional Guard units rushing in from nearby bases. The Metropolitan Police Department urged residents to shelter in place, warning of possible intermittent lockdowns.

This tragedy marks the latest in a string of high-profile security breaches near federal landmarks this year, raising fresh questions about the balance between protection and overreach in Trump's second term. Updates are expected as the investigation unfolds. For now, a somber vigil has begun outside the hospital, where flags fly at half-mast in silent tribute to those who serve. 17GEN4.com