Emergency personnel gather in a cordoned off area where National Guard soldiers were shot near the White House Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

CHARLESTON – Two members of the West Virginia National Guard shot today in Washington, D.C., are in critical condition, the director of the FBI said, after initial reports indicated they had died.

“This will be treated at the federal level as an assault on a federal law enforcement officer,” FBI Director Kash Patel said. “Please send your prayers to our brave warriors who are in critical condition and their families. They are here serving our country. They’re here protecting everyday Americans and citizens around the world in our nation’s Capitol. They are the heroes of this day, and we must remember this day and every day and the sacrifices they have made.”

West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey released a statement Wednesday afternoon at first confirming the deaths of the two National Guard members, expressing remorse on behalf of himself and first lady Denise Morrisey. However, shortly after that statement, Morrisey walked back that claim.

“We are now receiving conflicting reports about the condition of our two Guard members and will provide additional updates once we receive more complete information,” Morrisey said. “Our prayers are with these brave service members, their families, and the entire Guard community.”

According to the Associated Press and other media reports, the shooting occurred on 17th and H Streets in the northwest section of Washington D.C. and two blocks away from the White House near Farragut Square Park. An unidentified law enforcement official confirmed to the Associated Press that a suspect was in custody and had also been shot. All three individuals were transported to nearby hospitals.

A U.S. Capitol Park Police helicopter is seen on the National Mall evacuating a National Guard shooting victim, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025 in Washington. (AP Photo/Emily Hanson)

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the suspect will face the full force of justice.

“The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen … will pay a very steep price,” Trump said. “God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement. These are truly Great People. I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!”

Trump announced a federal takeover of law enforcement functions in Washington on Aug. 11, citing instances of violent crime. He called up the D.C. National Guard, FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and other federal agencies to help quell crime.

Trump also requested the assistance of states, asking them to send their own National Guard units. Trump cited United States Code Title 32 502(f), which allows the secretaries of the Army or Air Force to call up National Guard units from other states for training or other duties. This authority is used for national disasters or national security missions.

Morrisey announced on Aug. 16 that he was sending between 300 and 400 personnel with the West Virginia National Guard to Washington. That deployment has been extended since August, with the West Virginia National Guard announcing last week that 160 volunteers would remain in D.C. through the end of December, with the remaining personnel returning to West Virginia as of Nov. 17.

Washington Metropolitan Police are seen after reports of two National Guard soldiers shot near the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

“The WVNG exemplifies the spirit of collaboration that is vital in today’s efforts to enhance the safety of our homeland while supporting state and federal missions,” said Maj. Gen. Jim Seward, the adjutant general of the West Virginia National Guard, in a statement last week.

The deployment of the West Virginia National Guard was challenged in Kanawha County Circuit Court by the West Virginia Citizen Action Group, represented by the state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. In a Nov. 10 ruling, 8th Judicial Circuit Judge Richard Lindsay denied a motion for a preliminary injunction.

The lawsuit was originally seeking a temporary restraining order and a permanent injunction to block the recent deployment of the National Guard to Washington and a declaratory judgement that the deployment exceeds statutory and constitutional authority. The permanent injunction sought to prohibit Morrisey from ordering the deployment of National Guard soldiers outside of the state and prohibit Seward from complying with unlawful directives to send National Guard units or civilian employees outside the state.

Lindsay dismissed the case without prejudice, leaving open the door to the case being re-filed in the future should Morrisey decide to deploy the National Guard at the request of the Trump administration to other states, which Lindsay did say would be in violation of State Code and unconstitutional depending on how the deployment was done.

Steven Allen Adams can be reached at sadams@newsandsentinel.com