Two members of the National Guard were shot on Wednesday afternoon in Washington, D.C.—just two blocks from the White House—while on deployment. News reports have described their status as critical. A suspect was also transported to a hospital and is in custody, according to reports.
The guardsmen are from West Virginia. That state's governor, Patrick Morrisey (R), initially wrote on X that both had died, but walked back his statement amidst "conflicting reports." His initial, possibly erroneous claim should serve as a powerful reminder that it is always best to hold off and wait for more information, so as not to communicate false gossip to the public and start rumors. Very soon, we will know the conditions of the victims, who they are, and the name of the suspect; we will also be able to form better theories about the suspect's potential motivations. In the coming days, law enforcement will likely be able to provide concrete details that establish definitive motivations. Spouting off on social media or spreading rumors as fact at this early juncture is at best unhelpful.
