BREAKING: FBI to investigate National Guard shooting as potential act of terrorism—suspect ID’d as Afghan national: report

Two Guardsmen were shot in in the head, according to new reporting from NBC News citing a US official and a senior official briefed on the investigation, reports NBC4. The suspected gunman was also shot and was trandported to a local hospital. The Guardsmen had been deployed on high-visibility patrols near the White House and remain in critical condition at a local hospital.

The shooting occurred around 2:15 pm near 17th and I Street NW, an area that has seen increased National Guard and federal law-enforcement presence in recent weeks. According to investigators, a gunman approached the patrol, raised a firearm, and opened fire at close range. The area is heavily trafficked by government and White House personnel.

FBI Director Kash Patel described the attack as a “heinous act of violence” targeting federal personnel during press conference on the investigation. “Two of our brave members of the National Guard and Department of War were brazenly attacked,” Patel said. “Make no mistake, they will be brought to justice.” He confirmed the attack is being treated as an assault on federal law enforcement, triggering a full federal response led by the FBI with assistance from DHS, the Secret Service, ATF, DEA, and MPD.

Metropolitan Police Executive Assistant Chief Jeff Carroll said nearby Guard members intervened immediately. “A suspect came around the corner, raised his arm with a firearm and discharged it at the National Guard members,” Carroll said. After “some back and forth,” the Guardsmen and responding officers were able to subdue the shooter and take him into custody within moments. The suspect was transported to a hospital for treatment.

Fire and EMS services provided emergency care at the scene before rushing the victims to trauma care facilities. Federal authorities have not released the identity of the suspect nor a possible motive.