SC leaders express sorrow, outrage at shooting of Guardsmen near White House

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC/AP) — State and national leaders representing the Palmetto State reacted to Wednesday’s shooting that critically injured to National Guard members in the nation’s capital.

An Afghan national has been accused of shooting the two West Virginia National Guard members just blocks from the White House in a brazen act of violence. The guard members had deployed to the nation’s capital.

The suspect who is in custody also was shot and had wounds that were not believed to be life-threatening. Officials say the 29-year-old is an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome.

Here is a sampling of reaction to the shooting:

Gov. Henry McMaster

“We are a nation created and sustained by God fearing - law abiding people,” Gov. Henry McMaster said on X. “Lawlessness will not stand.”

Tonight we lift up in prayer the families of the brave WV Guardsmen who were shot in defense of freedom.

We are a nation created and sustained by God fearing - law abiding people. Lawlessness will not stand.

Next week over 300 SC Guardsmen will be returning to Washington, DC…

— Gov. Henry McMaster (@henrymcmaster) November 26, 2025

The governor said more than 300 South Carolina Guardsmen will return to Washington, D.C. next week, as previously scheduoled, to relieve the Guardsmen from Georgia who relieved them two months ago.

Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette

South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette said she and her family are praying for the families of the two victims, but the Republican quickly placed blame on Democrats.

“Make no mistake - this is a result of Democratic leaders attacking and spewing hateful rhetoric towards our brave men and women in law enforcement and the military,” she said in a statement. “Our nation must never tolerate violence directed towards those who protect us.”

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson

The state’s top prosecutor said the shooting hit him hard as a 29-year-member of the National Guard.

State Attorney General Alan Wilson, reacting to initial reports from West Virginia’s governor that the two guardsmen had died from their wounds, called it “a punch to the soul.”

“These soldiers raised their hand to serve and never deserved this,” he said on X. " I’m praying for their families and for every Guardsman who continues to stand the line for our country."

As a 29-year member of the National Guard, this one hits hard. Losing two of our own in Washington tonight is a punch to the soul. These soldiers raised their hand to serve and never deserved this. I’m praying for their families and for every Guardsman who continues to stand the…

— Alan Wilson (@AGAlanWilson) November 26, 2025

West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey said his office had learned the two Guardsmen had died, but later backtracked that, updating on X that his office was “receiving conflicting reports” about their condition.

U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace

U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace said she was “devastated” to hear about the shooting.

We are DEVASTATED to hear two West Virginia National Guard members were shot just steps away from the White House. This horrendous act of violence against those sworn to protect our nation is absolutely UNACCEPTABLE and will NOT be tolerated.

The shooter must be prosecuted to…

— Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) November 27, 2025

“This horrendous act of violence against those sworn to protect our nation is absolutely unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” she said, calling for the shooter to be “prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and hit with the harshest punishment possible.”

U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn

U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn said his prayers were with the victims of the shooting and his thoughts were with their loved ones.

My prayers are with the members of the National Guard who were shot this afternoon in Washington, D.C. My thoughts are with their loved ones during this tragedy.

Violence of any kind is unacceptable and must always be condemned.

— James E. Clyburn (@RepJamesClyburn) November 26, 2025

“Violence of any kind is unacceptable and must always be condemned,” he said on X.

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham called the news of the shooting “heartbreaking.”

“These guardsmen answered the call to regain control of the crime problem in our nation’s capital,” he said on X, encouraging everyone to “remember that our freedom, wellbeing and security as a nation comes at a heavy price.”

Heartbreaking to hear about the two West Virginia National Guardsmen who were shot while deployed to protect our nation’s capital. I am praying for them and their families.

These guardsmen answered the call to regain control of the crime problem in our nation’s capital.

On…

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) November 27, 2025

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott encouraged people to pray for the Guardsmen in a brief statement on X.

Let's pray for a miracle for the two National Guard members who were shot and critically injured in our nation's capital.

— Senator Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) November 26, 2025

Operations Allies Welcome was a Biden administration program to evacuate and resettle Afghans.