FBI Director Kash Patel vowed to launch a manhunt for the shooter who wounded two National Guard members near the White House on Wednesday—only for an official to point out that a suspect is already in custody at a hospital.
The embattled FBI director, 45, found himself embarrassingly out of the loop during a news conference on the “targeted” shooting, which has left two guardsmen in critical condition.
“As you can see behind me, we have assembled the full force of both the federal and state and local law enforcement agencies to bring bare all of our resources to make sure we find the perpetrators responsible for this heinous act,” Patel declared. “And make no mistake, they will be brought to justice.”
Patel said the FBI would “lead out on that mission” with interagency partners before adding:
“We will short-change the American public with no resources to make sure we find and safeguard our nation’s capital right here in Washington, D.C., and bring anyone responsible for this heinous act of violence to justice.”
Next to speak was Metropolitan Police Executive Assistant Chief Jeffery Carroll, who noted that the suspect had been taken into custody at the scene of the shooting.
“At approximately 2:15 this afternoon, members of the D.C. National Guard were on high visibility patrols in the area of 17th and I Street, Northwest, when a suspect came around the corner, raised his arm with a firearm and discharged at the National Guard members,” Carroll said. The news conference began at around 4:45 p.m. ET.
“There were other members that were in the area, they were able to—after some back and forth—able to subdue the individual and bring them into custody. Within moments, members of law enforcement in the area were also able to assist and bring that individual into custody.”
Carroll that the suspect had been transported to a local hospital “for treatment.” He said it appears the shooter acted alone but did not reveal the suspect’s name.
The two guardsmen remain in critical condition.
Later in the press conference, Patel jumped in to say, “I would just like to add, the reason that this suspect is in custody, is because of the bravery of the men and women of the National Guard who responded…”
When reached for comment on Patel’s remarks and whether the gunman acted alone, the FBI told the Daily Beast, “We don’t have anything further to provide beyond Director Patel’s remarks.”
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