White House on Lockdown After Shooting of Two National Guard Members

The White House was placed under tight security late Wednesday after two members of the US National Guard were shot near the Farragut metro station in Washington, triggering an immediate lockdown across several government buildings.

Police confirmed on X that officers were on the scene and urged the public to avoid the area as the investigation unfolded. According to USA Today, the White House, the Main Treasury, Freedman’s Bank Building and nearby federal offices were all secured as a precaution.

The shooting comes during a disputed deployment of National Guard troops to the capital ordered by President Donald Trump, a move that has drawn criticism from several state leaders.

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morsey initially announced online that the two guardsmen had died from their injuries, calling their service “a profound sacrifice.” Hours later, he said he had received “conflicting” updates about their condition and would wait for clearer information before issuing a final statement. He asked the public to keep the guardsmen and their families in their thoughts during the uncertainty.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president had been briefed and that officials were closely watching developments in what she described as a tragic situation.

National Guard troops have been stationed in Washington for months as part of the administration’s anti-crime campaign. Several governors have criticized the deployments, arguing they escalate tension rather than ease it.