The NYPD said on Wednesday that the Washington, D.C., shooting of two National Guard soldiers a few blocks away from the White House has no known connection with New York City.
“We are closely tracking the situation in Washington, D.C., and coordinating with our partners there. At this time, there is no known nexus to New York City,” the NYPD said on X.
Two West Virginia National Guard members who were deployed to the nation’s capital were shot about two blocks northwest of the White House. At least one of them exchanged gunfire with the shooter, officials said. Investigators were trying to determine the gunman’s motive, including whether the suspect was targeting the troops for any specific reason.
A suspect who is in custody had been shot, with wounds not believed to be life-threatening, according to a law enforcement official.
The Guardsmen were in critical condition at a local hospital, Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser said.
“While I am relieved to hear that the suspect in this despicable shooting is in custody, I know that the families of these two Guardsmen are also shattered,” Mayor Adams said on X. “Please join me in praying for them. Our NYPD is also monitoring this situation and while there are no credible threats to our city, we remain vigilant.”
“The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen, with both being critically wounded, and now in two separate hospitals, is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price,” President Trump said on X. “God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement.”
Wednesday evening, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch and Adams held a press conference on safety and security for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
“At this time, we know that at least two National Guard members were shot in what appears to be a targeted attack on law enforcement. We are keeping the Guard members and their families in our thoughts and prayers,” Tisch said. “We are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with our law enforcement partners in D.C.”
Tisch said there were no known threats for the 99th annual Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday and that there will be an increased police and drone presence in the area. NYPD’s intelligence teams will also be vigilantly monitoring for threats, including on social media, Tisch added.
“We can tell you that at this time,” she said, “there are no known specific credible threats to the parade. But as always New Yorkers will see an increased police presence, with thousands of NYPD officers posted along the two-and-a-half-mile parade route and the surrounding routes.”
