Washington: Two members of the National Guard have been shot in central Washington DC, two blocks from the White House.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrissey initially said the two troops from his division of the Guard had died, but later retracted that statement.
Members of the National Guard gather after two of their colleagues were fatally shot near the White House.Credit: AP
“We are now receiving conflicting reports about the condition of our two Guard members and will provide additional updates once we receive more complete information,” he said.
“Our prayers are with these brave service members, their families, and the entire Guard community.”
President Donald Trump had earlier said the two guardsmen were critically wounded and had been taken to separate local hospitals.
Dozens of police, Secret Service and ambulance vehicles sped to the scene, at Farragut Square on the corner of 17th and I streets, just before 2.30pm Washington time.
The Metropolitan Police Department confirmed a suspect had been taken into custody and the site was secure. Trump said the suspect had also been severely wounded.
Local police and the Secret Service sped to the scene, which was two blocks from the White House.Credit: AP
This masthead saw a person being stretchered into a waiting ambulance just after 2.30pm, and about eight National Guard troops running to the scene. Several blocks around the shooting site were blocked to traffic.
The White House was placed on lockdown, though Trump was away in Florida.
