Two members of the West Virginia National Guard, who were on duty in the capital, were shot Wednesday night, a few blocks from the White House, in an act of violence.

FBI Director Kash Patel and Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser stated that the National Guard members were taken to the hospital in critical condition, according to the Associated Press.

Bowser explained that they were victims of "targeted shooting".

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey initially announced the soldiers' deaths, but later retracted his statement, saying his office was"receiving conflicting reports" about their condition.

The governor's office did not immediately respond to questions about the attack and the condition of the soldiers.

A law enforcement official said a suspect in custody had been shot and suffered injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening.

In its first immediate move, the administration of US President Donald Trump quickly ordered the deployment of 500 additional National Guard troops to Washington following the shooting.