On Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025, two members of the West Virginia National Guard were critically injured in a targeted shooting outside the White House in Washington, D.C.—a chilling reminder that even during holidays, the people protecting the nation’s most symbolic building are never off duty. The victims, identified by ABC7 News as David and Jovana, were stationed at the northwest gate of the presidential complex when gunfire erupted around 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The suspect, still unnamed by the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, was shot and apprehended at the scene, later hospitalized and in custody. No other suspects were involved, officials confirmed.
“They’re the Sword and the Shield”
Just hours later, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time, JD Vance, the newly inaugurated Vice President of the United States, stood before a crowd of 1,200 soldiers and families at the main dining hall of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, serving Thanksgiving meals. He paused. His voice cracked slightly. “We had… a shooting outside the White House just a couple of hours ago,” he said. “We still don’t know the motive. But we do know two National Guardsmen were injured in the line of duty.”
Vance, who described himself as “a person who goes into work every single day in that building,” didn’t offer politics. He didn’t speculate. He offered gratitude. “I want everybody who’s a person of faith to say a prayer for those two National Guardsmen,” he said. “They’re still in pretty tough condition. I hope they spend Thanksgiving with their families—not in a hospital.”
It was raw. It was real. And it was exactly what soldiers needed to hear.
The Guardsmen and the Gate
The West Virginia National Guard has roughly 4,800 personnel, and while most serve part-time, their federal activation for ceremonial and security duties—especially around the White House—isn’t unusual. During major holidays, the U.S. Secret Service routinely partners with National Guard units to reinforce perimeter security. The northwest gate, where the shooting occurred, is one of the most heavily monitored entry points, yet it’s also one of the most accessible to the public.
David and Jovana were not elite operatives. They were weekend warriors—teachers, mechanics, nurses—who answered the call. Their injuries, described as critical, required emergency surgery at George Washington University Hospital. Their names, though public in media reports, haven’t been officially released by the West Virginia National Guard pending family notification.
“This isn’t the first time guardsmen have been targeted,” said retired Army Colonel Linda Reyes, who served on White House security detail from 2008 to 2016. “But it’s the first time since January 6, 2021, that someone’s opened fire directly on National Guard personnel assigned to protect the President’s residence. That’s new. That’s terrifying.”
FBI and the Silence of the Motive
By mid-afternoon, Kash Patel, Director of the FBI, addressed the nation: “This was a heinous act.” He credited “the bravery of the men and women” who responded—referring not just to the guardsmen, but to the Secret Service agents who engaged the shooter.
But the motive? Still unknown.
There’s no link yet to any extremist group. No manifesto. No social media posts. No prior criminal record publicly disclosed. The suspect’s identity remains sealed, though D.C. Police confirmed he was armed with a semi-automatic handgun and had no known ties to the area. “There’s no indication that anyone else was involved,” said D.C. Police Chief Maria Torres in a press briefing.
It’s odd. It’s unsettling. And it’s not the first time a lone actor has struck without warning. In 2014, a man with a rifle scaled the White House fence and was shot by agents. In 2020, a vehicle rammed the gates. But this? This was different. This was personal. This was a deliberate attack on uniformed service members doing their job.
Fort Campbell: Where the Nation’s Heart Beats
Vance chose Fort Campbell for his Thanksgiving speech for a reason. It’s home to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and the 5th Special Forces Group. Nearly 50,000 active-duty soldiers and their families live on the 105,265-acre base straddling Kentucky and Tennessee. It’s where soldiers train for war, then come home to Thanksgiving dinners with their kids.
When Vance said, “We’re grateful to them,” he wasn’t speaking to a crowd of strangers. He was speaking to his neighbors. To the guy who mows his lawn. To the woman who runs the school cafeteria. To the father who left his child’s soccer game to stand guard at the White House.
“We don’t always see them,” Vance added. “But they’re there. Every day. In the rain. In the snow. On Thanksgiving.”
What Comes Next?
The U.S. Secret Service has launched a full review of perimeter protocols. The Department of Defense is considering whether to permanently increase National Guard presence at key federal sites during holidays. Congress, still in session, has signaled it may fast-track legislation to improve mental health screenings for individuals with access to firearms near federal property.
Meanwhile, David and Jovana remain in intensive care. Their families have asked for privacy. But across the country, soldiers are watching. Waiting. Hoping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are David and Jovana, and why aren’t their full names public?
David and Jovana are members of the West Virginia National Guard, identified by media sources as the two service members critically injured in the White House shooting. Their full names have not been officially released by the West Virginia National Guard or the Department of Defense pending formal notification of next of kin, a standard protocol to respect family privacy during trauma. Their identities were shared by ABC7 News after confirmation from hospital sources.
Why was the West Virginia National Guard at the White House on Thanksgiving?
The West Virginia National Guard was deployed under Title 10 federal orders to support the U.S. Secret Service during heightened holiday security. Since 2021, National Guard units have regularly assisted with perimeter security at the White House during major holidays, especially when public attendance spikes. Their role is largely ceremonial and visible deterrence—not frontline combat—but they are armed and trained to respond to threats.
What’s the significance of JD Vance delivering his remarks at Fort Campbell?
Fort Campbell is one of the largest and most active Army installations in the U.S., home to elite units like the 101st Airborne. By choosing this location, Vance signaled that the attack on National Guard members was an attack on the entire military community. His presence there—serving meals, not giving a political speech—underscored the human cost of service and reinforced that military families are the backbone of national security.
Has there been a similar attack on National Guard members at the White House before?
No targeted shooting of National Guard personnel at the White House perimeter has occurred since the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, though there have been fence breaches and vehicle attacks. In 2014, a man scaled the fence and was shot by Secret Service agents. This incident is unique because it involved direct, intentional gunfire against uniformed guardsmen performing their assigned duty, making it a potential new benchmark in domestic threats to federal security personnel.
Why hasn’t the FBI released the shooter’s motive?
The FBI is still analyzing digital devices, financial records, and communications tied to the suspect, who remains hospitalized and under guard. Authorities have found no ideological affiliations, extremist links, or prior threats. The lack of a clear motive is itself alarming—suggesting a lone actor acting without warning. Releasing premature details could compromise the investigation or incite copycat behavior, so officials are proceeding with extreme caution.
What does this mean for future military deployments at the White House?
The Department of Defense is evaluating whether to expand National Guard roles beyond ceremonial duties to include more active threat response training for White House perimeter units. There’s also discussion about equipping guardsmen with body armor and real-time threat alerts. While no immediate policy changes have been announced, this incident has reignited long-standing debates about the balance between public access and security at symbolic federal sites.