On the day before the Thanksgiving holiday, a gunman opened fire and left two National Guardmen critically injured in Washington, DC’s Farragut Square — a tourist-heavy area located near a busy transit center and the White House.
As investigators gather more information on the incident and suspected perpetrator, here are the most recent developments:
Initial ID: The FBI believes the shooter’s initial identification matches a man from Washington state who appears to have immigrated to the US from Afghanistan in 2021, multiple law enforcement officials briefed on the matter told CNN. Authorities ran the fingerprints of the man in custody and that’s how they got the initial name, one official added, noting they are still working on additional confirmation. The suspect applied for asylum in 2024, and it was granted earlier this year.
Investigation updates: Local, state and national officials have vowed to bring justice to the victims and their families. So far, investigators have recovered a handgun believed to have been used in the attack. West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey said he spoke to President Donald Trump about the two Guardsmen from his state who were shot. “We’re going to keep working to make sure that justice is served,” Morrisey said.
More on the scene: Eyewitnesses recounted the violence, with one telling the WUSA local television station that they heard five shots ring out before they saw people running. Another witness, who is visiting DC for the holiday, said he hid behind chairs in Farragut Square and that he saw a person with his hands behind his back on his stomach, who he assumes was the shooter.
Emergency stay: The Trump administration asked a federal appeals court for an emergency stay of an order from a federal judge to remove the National Guard from Washington, DC. Last week, the judge ruled the deployment was unlawful.
Former presidents weigh in: An array of officials have shared their condolences for those impacted by the shooting, including former Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama.
CNN’s Brian Todd reported from the scene in DC today.
Two National Guardsmen shot in Washington, DC
Two members of the West Virginia National Guardsmen who were shot in Washington, DC are in critical condition, according to officials. CNN’s Brian Todd reports.
Two National Guardsmen shot in Washington, DC
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CNN’s Kaanita Iyer, Casey Gannon, Brian Todd and Taylor Romine contributed reporting.