White House lockdown: National Guard members shot dead
Source: X/SarahisCensored
Two National Guard members have been shot dead near the White House.
A suspect who was in custody also was shot and has injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening, according to a law enforcement official who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Wednesday (local time).
Washington DC Fire and Emergency Services public information officer Vito Maggiolo said emergency medical responders had taken all three victims to hospital.
Police tape cordoned off the scene where emergency fire and police vehicles’ lights flashed and helicopter blades thudded overhead.
Agents from the US Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were on scene, as National Guard troops stood sentry nearby. At least one helicopter landed on the National Mall.
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The Joint DC Task Force confirmed it had responded to the incident after reports of the shooting. The city’s Metropolitan Police Department said it was responding to a shooting, but provided no more information.
A spokesperson for Mayor Muriel Bowser said local leaders were actively monitoring the situation.
US President Donald Trump was at his West Palm Beach golf course when the shooting took place.
“The White House is aware and actively monitoring this tragic situation. The President has been briefed,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
Hundreds of National Guard members from the district and several states have been patrolling the US capital after Trump in August issued an emergency order, federalising the local police force and sending in the guard from eight states and the District of Columbia.
