West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey has officially confirmed the tragic deaths of the two National Guard members who were shot earlier today in downtown Washington, D.C. In a somber statement released this evening, the Governor announced that both service members have succumbed to their injuries, transforming the day’s violence into a double homicide investigation.
“It is with great sorrow that we can confirm both members of the West Virginia National Guard who were shot earlier today in Washington, DC have passed away from their injuries,” Morrisey stated on X (formerly Twitter). He honored the fallen soldiers, declaring, “These brave West Virginians lost their lives in the service of their country.”
The confirmation follows hours of conflicting reports regarding the condition of the troops, who were attacked near the White House in the Farragut Square area. The shooting plunged the capital into lockdown and sparked a massive security response. While President Trump had earlier described the soldiers as “critically wounded,” the Governor’s update confirms the worst-case scenario.
Morrisey expressed the collective grief of his state, stating, “Our entire state grieves with their families, their loved ones, and the Guard community. West Virginia will never forget their service or their sacrifice.” He also issued a stern warning regarding the prosecution of the suspect, who is currently in custody: “We will demand full accountability for this horrific act.”
The two soldiers were part of a deployment of National Guard troops stationed in the District of Columbia under recent federal emergency orders. Their deaths are likely to intensify the already heated debate surrounding the military presence in the capital and will place immense pressure on federal investigators to determine the motive behind what is now a deadly attack on U.S. armed forces on American soil.
