West Virginia governor walks back claim two National Guard members died after DC shooting, citing conflicting reports about their condition
WASHINGTON: A US official has retracted his statement that two National Guard members shot near the White House had died from their injuries.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey issued a new statement saying he was no longer certain about their condition.
“We are now receiving conflicting reports about the condition of our two Guard members and will provide additional updates,” Morrisey said on X.
Minutes earlier, the governor had confirmed both troops deployed from his state had died.
“It is with great sorrow that we can confirm both members of the West Virginia National Guard who were shot earlier today in Washington, DC have passed away from their injuries,” he wrote in his initial message.
“These brave West Virginians lost their lives in the service of their country.”
President Donald Trump described the two soldiers as “critically wounded” in his statement.
The president’s policy of sending armed troops to support crime fighting in Democratic-run cities remains deeply controversial.
AFP reporters observed one person in camouflage being loaded into an ambulance at the scene. – AFP