News

US official walks back statement that National Guard members died

two national guard died dc
Image: Screenshot

The official who announced that two National Guard members shot Wednesday near the White House had died of their injuries issued a new statement that that he was no longer sure.

“We are now receiving conflicting reports about the condition of our two Guard members and will provide additional updates,” the governor of West Virginia, Patrick Morrisey, said on X.

Minutes earlier, Morrisey said the troops — deployed to Washington from his state — had both died.

“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,” he wrote on X in the earlier message.

“These brave West Virginians lost their lives in the service of their country.”

President Donald Trump, whose policy of sending armed troops to support crime fighting in cities run by Democrats is deeply controversial, said in a statement that the two soldiers had been “critically wounded.”

AFP reporters saw one person in camouflage being loaded into an ambulance at the scene.

About the author

AFP

Agence France-Presse (AFP) is a French international news agency headquartered in Paris, France. Founded in 1835 as Havas, it is the world's oldest news agency.

Add Comment

Click here to post a comment