A National Guardsman and a suspect were both shot late Sunday night in Washington, D.C., while the Guardsman attempted to intervene in a street fight, police confirmed Monday. The incident occurred near the 400 block of 8th Street SE, close to a D.C. fire and EMS station in southeast Washington.
Two key developments emerged from the shooting: First, the Guardsman was struck in the leg after the suspect allegedly fired a weapon during the confrontation. Second, the suspect was also shot and sustained an abdominal injury. Both individuals were transported to local hospitals and are expected to survive, according to Interim D.C. Police Chief Jeffrey Carroll.
The shooting unfolded shortly after 11:10 p.m. when a group of National Guard members traveling in a van observed a street fight in progress. The Guardsmen exited the vehicle to intervene, at which point the suspect allegedly produced a firearm. Authorities stated that the Guardsmen ordered the suspect to drop the weapon, but the suspect instead opened fire. Three Guardsmen returned fire, hitting the suspect. The Guardsman was also struck in the leg during the exchange.
Carroll confirmed that the incident remains under investigation, with authorities reviewing body-worn camera footage and gathering witness statements. The location of the shooting is near the U.S. Capitol, an area that has seen heightened National Guard presence since 2025, following a federal deployment to assist with public safety operations.
Context and Background
The deployment of National Guard members in D.C. has been a recurring security measure in recent years. In November 2025, two Guardsmen were killed in an ambush-style attack near the White House. The suspect in that case, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, was charged with multiple federal counts, including murder of a person assisting an officer and discharge of a firearm during a violent crime that causes death. Lakanwal has pleaded not guilty to those charges.
Local officials have not indicated whether Sunday’s shooting is connected to the broader security posture in the city. The Metropolitan Police Department stated it is reviewing all available evidence to determine the circumstances leading to the altercation and the subsequent shooting.
Official Statements and Next Steps
Chief Carroll emphasized that both the Guardsman and the suspect are receiving medical treatment and that their conditions are stable. He did not provide further details about the suspect’s identity or charges pending against them. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities appealing to the public for any information related to the incident.
Police have not released additional updates as of Monday morning, describing the case as developing. Further disclosures are expected as authorities analyze evidence and interview witnesses.