A shooting near the White House has raised renewed questions about security in central Washington after two members of the US National Guard were critically wounded while on routine patrol. The incident triggered a brief lockdown of the presidential complex and prompted a sweeping police response across several blocks of the capital.
Authorities said the attack, which unfolded on Wednesday afternoon, occurred within one of the most heavily monitored areas of the city. Streets were sealed, staff in nearby buildings were instructed to shelter in place and flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport were temporarily paused as airspace restrictions were introduced.
