Crime
One West Virginia National Guard Member Killed Another Critically Injured After Shooting Near the White House, Suspect in Custody
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two members of the West Virginia National Guard who were shot earlier Wednesday near the White House have died from their injuries, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey confirmed.
“It is with profound sorrow that we can confirm both members of the West Virginia National Guard who were shot earlier today in Washington, D.C., have passed away from their injuries,” Governor Morrisey said in a statement posted to X. “These brave West Virginians lost their lives in the service of their country. Our entire state grieves with their families, their loved ones, and the Guard community.”
Governor Morrisey added that the state would pursue full accountability for what he described as a “horrific act,” stating that West Virginia will never forget the sacrifice of the fallen service members.
The shooting occurred near the intersection of 17th Street Northwest and I Street Northwest, just blocks from the White House.
Initial emergency radio traffic confirmed that two National Guard members had been shot and transported from the scene—one with multiple gunshot wounds to the lower body and the other reportedly suffering a gunshot wound to the head.
Authorities stated that a suspect is in custody.
The suspect also sustained gunshot injuries but is expected to survive, according to a source familiar with the investigation.
The scene was heavily secured with police tape as emergency vehicles, flashing lights, and helicopters surrounded the area. Witnesses reported hearing two gunshots followed by three more about half a minute later, triggering panic as people ran for safety. One eyewitness reported that a group of children were nearby when the gunfire erupted.
Personnel from the U.S. Secret Service, Metropolitan Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and on-duty National Guard troops responded. At least one medical helicopter landed on the National Mall to assist with transport.
All three gunshot victims were taken to local hospitals, according to Vito Maggiolo, Public Information Officer for DC Fire and Emergency Services.
The Metropolitan Police Department, Joint DC Task Force, and federal agencies are working jointly on the investigation. No motive has been released, and officials have not said whether the shooting was targeted or random.
The National Guard issued a statement acknowledging the incident and confirming coordination with law enforcement, stating:
“We are aware of the incident and are working closely with the Metropolitan Police Department and other agencies. The health and safety of our service members is our top priority as we continue to support citizens and visitors of Washington, D.C.”
President Donald Trump, who is currently in Florida for Thanksgiving, responded to the shooting on Truth Social, writing:
“The animal who shot the guardsmen will pay a very steep price. God bless our great National Guard, our Military, and our Law Enforcement. I stand with you.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also responded publicly, writing on X:
“Please join me in praying for the two National Guardsmen who were just shot moments ago in Washington, D.C.”
A spokesperson for Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed that city officials are actively monitoring the situation.
Crime
Two Young Girls Found Buried in Separate Suitcases in Cleveland Identified as Amor Wilson and Mila Chatman
Mother Aliyah Henderson has been charged for double murder.
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Authorities have identified the two young girls whose bodies were discovered inside separate suitcases buried in shallow graves on the city’s East Side as Amor Wilson and Mila Chatman, a tragic development in a case that has shocked the community and prompted an ongoing homicide investigation.
According to investigators, the girls were found Monday evening in a field near East 162nd Street and Midland Avenue in the South Collinwood neighborhood of Cleveland.
The area is located near Ginn Academy.
Family members shared that a photograph circulating online shows the sisters during a doctor’s appointment in 2019, when they were accompanied by their mother and grandmother.
At the time the photo was taken, Amor was just 3 years old and Mila was 1 year old. Today, Amor would have been 10 years old, and Mila would have been 8 years old.
Mother Aliyah Henderson has been charged for double murder.
The grim discovery was made when a man walking his dog in the area noticed the animal repeatedly alerting to a scent near a fence line.
Investigating further, the man located a partially buried suitcase and contacted authorities.
Officers with the Cleveland Division of Police responded to the scene shortly after 6 p.m. and discovered a shallow grave containing a suitcase with the body of a child inside.
As officers and homicide detectives expanded their search of the surrounding field, they located a second shallow grave nearby containing another suitcase with the body of a second child.
The man who initially discovered the suitcase later told investigators that his dog ran toward the area near a playground where the luggage had been partially buried.
After unzipping the suitcase and seeing a child’s head, he immediately called 911.
During an earlier news conference, Dorothy Todd, chief of the Cleveland Division of Police, described the discovery as a “terrible, horrific situation.”
“This is a traumatic event for our officers and for the community,” Todd said. “This is just such a tragic incident, but we are trying to develop any leads we can. That’s why we are also asking for the community’s help.”
Authorities initially estimated that the victims were between 8 and 14 years old. At the time of the discovery, there were no active missing child reports in Cleveland that matched the girls’ descriptions, adding further complexity to the investigation.
Investigators have also indicated that the remains may have been in the area for some time, though an exact timeline has not yet been determined.
“We know that this didn’t just happen,” Todd said. “We still have to determine exactly when this occurred. At this time, we do not have any indication that there is a clear threat to public safety.”
Officials with the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office have taken custody of the bodies and are continuing forensic examinations to determine the cause and manner of death. Authorities have confirmed that the victims’ bodies had not been dismembered.
The case remains under active investigation as detectives work to reconstruct the events leading up to the girls’ deaths and identify those responsible.
Authorities are urging anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact the Cleveland Police Homicide Unit. Additional details are expected to be released as the investigation progresses.