VIDEO: White House closed, shooting nearby leaves several injured

Two members of the National Guard were shot Wednesday just blocks from the White House, officials confirmed, prompting a swift lockdown of the presidential residence.

“Please join me in praying for the two National Guardsmen who were just shot moments ago in Washington DC,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on X, without describing the health status of the victims.

A White House spokesperson confirmed that President Donald Trump had been briefed on the “tragic situation.” The press secretary announced that the White House had been placed under immediate precautionary lockdown.

Washington, D.C., police said they had successfully detained the suspected shooter and secured the scene. Authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the attack, which occurred in one of the nation’s most sensitive and heavily secured areas.

The Associated Press reported, citing a knowledgeable source, that two National Guard members were injured in the shooting.

CNN also reported that the incident left “several people” injured in the area.

Hours after the incident, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said that the United States will deploy 500 additional troops to the capital Washington after a shooter killed two members of the National Guard in the city.

"This will only stiffen our resolve to ensure that we make Washington, DC safe and beautiful," said Hegseth, who announced the planned troop increase, which will bring the number of National Guard in the US capital to more than 2,500, during a visit to the Dominican Republic.