WASHINGTON: Two members of the National Guard were shot and killed in Washington on Wednesday, US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement on X, as the White House said it was under lockdown, with President Donald Trump away in Florida.
Washington police said separately that there was a shooting a block from the White House on Wednesday and that a suspect was in custody with the area secured.
“The president has been briefed,” White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said.
Trump, who is at his Palm Beach resort ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, condemned the attack that critically wounded two National Guardsmen near the White House, calling the suspected gunman “the animal that shot the two National Guardsmen.”
In a post on Truth Social immediately after the incident, Trump said the suspect – who is also seriously injured – “will pay a very high price”.
“God bless our great National Guard, and all of our military and law enforcement agencies. They are truly amazing people,” he wrote, adding that he and his office stand with the victims.
Later, both security personnel succumbed to their wounds.
US Vice President JD Vance is in Kentucky.
The US Secret Service did not respond to a request for comment.
