A tense security lockdown gripped central Washington after two members of the US National Guard were shot near the White House, prompting a swift law-enforcement response and renewed concerns over public safety in the American capital.
The fatal shooting occurred close to the busy Farragut Metro Station, less than a mile from the White House, triggering an immediate police operation and rapid deployment of federal agents. Officials confirmed that a suspect was arrested shortly after the incident, though investigators have yet to disclose the individual’s identity or motive.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos, with commuters scrambling for cover as emergency sirens filled the air. National Guard personnel were seen forming a perimeter while police cordoned off several streets, forcing businesses to halt operations as the security sweep intensified.
Senior security figures, including the US Attorney General and the FBI Director, received continuous briefings as the crisis unfolded. Federal agents later joined local police at the crime scene, reinforcing the gravity of the attack.
The White House was placed on temporary lockdown, although President Donald Trump was not on site at the time. In a statement issued via his social media platform, he condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with the victims’ families, saying the perpetrator would “face a steep price”.
Authorities have not revealed whether the shooting is linked to wider security threats, but the proximity to the seat of American power has raised fresh questions about the state of public safety in a city already grappling with rising crime.
