Officials described it as a deliberate attack that shook the capital Washington, D.C.
The two National Guard soldiers were shot at 2:15 p.m. on November 26, US time, (ie 2:15 a.m. on November 27, Vietnam time), just a few blocks from the White House, in an attack that the police confirmed was an "attack". The suspect was injured and was taken into on-site control.
At the time of the shooting, President Donald Trump was in Florida preparing for the Thanksgiving holiday, but the White House was still forced to urgently blockade as the federal security forces and city police rushed into the area.
According to Washington D.C. Jeff Carroll, the incident occurred at around 2:15 p.m. near the intersection of 17th and I Street - just a few minutes walk from the White House. The two soldiers were performing the task of "high-assistance patrol" when a man approached from a street corner and suddenly opened fire.
Other Guard members immediately responded and controlled the suspect after a series of short shots. Both soldiers who were hit were taken to the hospital in critical condition, according to FBI Director Kash Patel.
Washington Mayor D.C Muriel Bowser affirmed: "This was a targeted attack."
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey initially said the two victims - his state's Coast Guard - had died. But he was later corrected for conflictive reports. The identities of the victim and the suspect are still kept secret.
The authorities said the suspect acted alone. The attack engine has not been determined.
On social media, President Trump condemned the suspect as an "animal" and said he would "have to pay a very high price". He also praised the bravery of the National Guard.
Meanwhile, the Vice President of JD Vance was in Kentucky at the time of the incident.
The shooting occurred right next to Farragut Square, one of the busiest areas in Washington, D.C., where workers often gather for lunch. The area decorated for the year-end holiday suddenly turned into a security hot spot.
People described the chaotic scene when a series of bullets rang out, pedestrians panicked and ran away.
Mike Ryan, 55, said: I was shopping for food when I heard gunshots. I ran half a street and listened to more shows. Returning to the scene, he saw two Coast Guard soldiers lying on the ground, one of whom received first aid. A few meters away, other soldiers were pushing the suspect onto the road.
almost all of Emma McDonald said she saw a soldier being carried on a stretcher, his head was covered in blood and had an automatic thoracic apparatus.
The National Guard has been heavily present in Washington since August, after President Trump deployed the force in a campaign to suppress crime and illegal immigration in Democratic-led cities.
As of November 26, there are about 2,200 soldiers on duty in the capital, from many states such as Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia, Georgia and Alabama.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said President Trump had ordered an increase of 500 Guardsmen immediately after the shooting.
