The first reports that two US National Guard soldiers, both from West Virginia, were shot at a subway station just a few blocks from the White House in Washington, DC, came shortly before 9 p.m. Swedish time on Wednesday. The soldiers were on patrol.
The White House and the airport closest to the city center, Ronald Reagan National Airport, are closed as a security measure.
The injured were taken to hospital and are still being treated for serious injuries. On Wednesday evening, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey falsely reported that the soldiers had died – information that was also relayed by the White House. At 11pm Swedish time, the FBI and the Washington police confirmed that the soldiers were alive.
A suspected perpetrator, identified as a 29-year-old from Afghanistan, was quickly arrested at the scene. He also suffered gunshot wounds. His injuries are reported to be serious, but not life-threatening. The man previously served in Afghanistan's US-sponsored army for ten years, according to relatives and government sources.
The FBI and police say the shooting was intentional.
US President Donald Trump – who was in Florida at the time of the incident – described the shooting as “motivated by hate” and an “act of terrorism.” Broad measures are being taken, including a pause in all immigration cases involving Afghan citizens.
At 1 a.m. on Thursday, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced that an additional 500 National Guard soldiers would be sent to Washington, D.C. In August, Trump called in 2,000 National Guard members to Washington to “clean up” the capital, which has stirred strong emotions.
