Two West Virginia National Guard members who deployed to the nation’s capital were shot Wednesday just blocks from the White House in a brazen act of violence.

FBI Director Kash Patel and Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said the Guard members were hospitalized in critical condition. Bowser said they were victims of a ”targeted shooting.”

Gov. Patrick Morrisey initially said that both members of the state’s National Guard who were shot near the White House had passed away in a post on X.

About 20 minutes later, Morrisey said that his office was hearing “conflicting reports about the condition of our two Guard members” in another post, but did not elaborate further.

A suspect who was in custody also was shot and has injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening, according to a source.

Associated Press reporter Gary Fields was at the scene and provided an update on what happened.

"We're at Connecticut and I Street, about three blocks from the White House. One of the most secure residences on the planet, in this area where I am is also one of the most heavily patrolled by alphabet soup of federal and local law enforcement officers, ranging from the Metropolitan Police to the Secret Service," said Fields.

Police tape cordoned off the area as fire and police vehicle lights flashed and helicopter blades thudded overhead.

Agents from the U.S. Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were on the scene, while National Guard troops stood sentry nearby.

"The idea that something like that would happen, in such close proximity to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, an address we all know, makes this probably the most surprising thing of all," added Fields.