Two National Guard shot dead near White House

Two National Guard members were shot and killed near the White House.

A suspect in custody was also shot and has injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening, according to a law enforcement official who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Wednesday.

Emergency medical responders transported all three victims to the hospital, according to Vito Maggiolo, DC Fire and Emergency Services public information officer.

Police tape cordoned off the scene, where the lights of emergency fire and police vehicles flashed and helicopter blades thundered overhead.

Agents from the U.S. Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were on the scene while National Guard troops stood guard nearby. At least one helicopter landed on the National Mall.

The Joint DC Task Force confirmed that they responded to the incident following reports of the shooting. The Metropolitan Police Department said they were responding to a shooting but did not immediately provide further information.

A spokeswoman for Mayor Muriel Bowser said local leaders are actively monitoring the situation. Bowser had spent the morning at a Thanksgiving event at the Convention Center and then held a press conference to explain why he did not seek re-election.

President Donald Trump was on the golf course in West Palm Beach when the attack occurred.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “The White House is aware of this tragic situation and is actively monitoring it. The President has been informed.”

Hundreds of National Guard members from the region and several states have been patrolling the nation’s capital after Trump issued an emergency order there in August, federalizing the local police force and sending in guardsmen from eight states and the District of Columbia.