Trump Orders 500 More Troops to D.C. After Guardsmen Gunned Down in Broad Daylight

A brazen ambush near the White House has left two West Virginia National Guard members fighting for their lives, escalating a fierce national debate over the Trump administration's military crackdown on urban crime.

President Donald Trump responded swiftly Thursday with an order for 500 additional troops, vowing the assailant will face unrelenting justice.

The victims, a male and female soldier from the 416-member West Virginia contingent, suffered multiple gunshot wounds during a routine patrol around 2:15 p.m. Wednesday near the Farragut West Metro station, two blocks northwest of the White House at 17th and I streets NW.

Washington Metropolitan Police Executive Assistant Chief Jeffrey Carroll described the attack as an ambush: A lone suspect rounded a corner, raised a handgun and fired at the armed guardsmen, who were gathered for a break.

At least one soldier returned fire, striking the suspect, who police took into custody after a brief struggle witnessed on social media videos.

First responders performed CPR on one victim amid shattered glass on the sidewalk, while officers restrained the bleeding suspect nearby.

The gunman, hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, awaits formal charges as the FBI, Secret Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives analyze surveillance footage for motive.

FBI Director Kash Patel and Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed Thursday the guardsmen remain in critical but stable condition at an undisclosed hospital, though as of 5:45 PM EST, some reports claim the to guardsmen have passed away.

West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey initially announced both had died from their injuries but retracted the statement within minutes, citing "conflicting reports."

Bowser labeled the incident a "targeted shooting," rejecting notions of random violence.

The assault unfolded amid controversy over the National Guard's expanded role in the District. Trump federalized local police and deployed troops from eight states plus D.C. in August under an emergency order that expired after 30 days but persisted through legal challenges.

A federal judge ruled last week the out-of-state deployments likely violate laws barring military involvement in domestic policing; she stayed her order for 21 days pending appeal.

Currently, 2,188 troops operate under Joint Task Force-D.C., patrolling neighborhoods, manning checkpoints, guarding events and even handling trash collection.

More than 300 West Virginians arrived in August; about 160 extended service through year's end last week.

Trump, vacationing in Florida for Thanksgiving, decried the "animal" attacker on Truth Social and directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to surge reinforcements.

Hegseth, speaking from the Dominican Republic, activated the additional guardsmen immediately, raising the total to over 2,600.

Vice President JD Vance, addressing troops in Kentucky, called the victims "the sword and shield of America" and urged prayers.

Eyewitness Stacy Walters, stuck in traffic nearby, recounted hearing two shots and chaos erupting on a crisp holiday-eve afternoon.

Police tape now seals the bloodstained scene, where helicopters thumped overhead and a ground stop halted flights at Reagan National Airport.