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Two National Guard soldiers were shot on Wednesday near the White House.
West Virginia’s Governor Patrick Morrisey at first confirmed their deaths in a social media post.
However, shortly afterwards, he posted that reports about the condition of the two victims were “conflicting”.
A suspect who has been taken to custody was also shot and sustained injuries that are not thought to be life-threatening, according to a law enforcement official not authorised to speak publicly and who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity. One of the National Guard members was shot in the head, according to a person familiar with the details of the incident who also spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.
The shooting happened at the corner of 17th and H Streets in the northwest quadrant of the city, roughly two blocks northwest of the White House.
A spokeswoman for Mayor Muriel Bowser said local authorities were closely monitoring the situation.
President Donald Trump, who is at his golf course in West Palm Beach wrote in a post on social media truth that the “animal” who shot the guardsmen “will pay a very steep price.”
“God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement. These are truly Great People,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!”
This is a developing story and our journalists are working to update it.