00:00We're here to brief you on the tragic events that happened today at approximately 2.15 local time
00:10in Washington, D.C., where two of our brave members of the National Guard and the Department
00:16of War were brazenly attacked in a horrendous act of violence. They were shot. They're in
00:21critical condition. As you can see behind me, we have assembled the full force of both the
00:26federal and state and local law enforcement agencies to bring bear all of our resources to
00:31make sure we find the perpetrators responsible for this heinous act. And make no mistake, they will be
00:36brought to justice. Since this is an assault on a federal law enforcement officer, this will be
00:41treated at the federal level as an assault on a federal law enforcement officer. The FBI will lead
00:47out on that mission with our interagency partners to include the Department of Homeland Security,
00:51Secret Service, ATF, DEA. And we're thankful for the mayor's assistance in this matter. The
00:57Metropolitan Police Department and their skills in investigating homicides and gun shootings in this
01:02city is exceptional. We will work together collaboratively because this is a matter of
01:07national security, because it's a matter of pride. President Trump has been informed. We've been in
01:13contact with the White House. We will bear we will shortchange the American public with no resources
01:17to make sure we find and safeguard our nation's capital right here in Washington, D.C., and bring
01:23anyone responsible for this heinous act of violence to justice.
01:27Assistant Chief here at the Metropolitan Police Department. At approximately 2.15 this afternoon,
01:33members of the D.C. National Guard were on high visibility patrols in the area of 17th and I Street
01:39Northwest. When a suspect came around the corner, raised his arm with a firearm and discharged at the
01:45National Guard. The National Guard members. There were other members that were in the area. They were
01:51able to, after some back and forth, able to subdue the individual and bring them into custody. Within
01:57moments, members of law enforcement in the area were also able to assist and bring that individual
02:02into custody. At this time, as the director mentioned, the National Guard members are being treated at a
02:07local hospital. D.C. Fire and EMS respond to the scene to provide first aid for those individuals and
02:12transported to a local hospital. The suspect in this case was also transported for treatment at a local
02:17hospital. So both the individuals, the Guard members, they are in critical condition at a local
02:23hospital at this time being treated. At this point, we have no other suspects. We have reviewed video
02:28from the area. It appears, like I said, to be a lone gunman that raised the firearm and ambushed these
02:32members of the National Guard and he was quickly taken into custody by other National Guard members and law
02:36enforcement members.
02:39Sure. So how the suspect was apprehended, as I said, the individual, the suspect came around the
02:44corner. He immediately started firing a firearm at the two National Guard members. So at that time,
02:49there were other National Guard members that were in the area. They heard the gunfire. They actually
02:55were able to intervene and to kind of hold down the suspect after he had been shot on the ground until
02:59law enforcement got there within moments. And he was shot by a National Guard member? At this point,
03:04we're still investigating exactly who shot that individual. It's not clear at this time.
03:07Were there D.C. police in the area?
03:10We don't know what kind of weapon. There was D.C. police. It happened right in front of the Metro,
03:13although there is no indication that the perpetrator was on the Metro.
03:17What we know, Andrea, is that this is a targeted shooting. One individual who appeared to target
03:23these Guardsmen, that individual has been taken into custody.
03:27I've had the opportunity to brief U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who was speaking to the
03:37President when I called, as well as the United States Attorney Pirro, who assured me that this case
03:44will have her office's complete attention.
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