A National Guard member was shot and wounded while trying to break up a fight in southeast Washington on Sunday night, Oct. 19, 2026, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. A suspect involved in the altercation was also shot and wounded by return gunfire and was later arrested.
The shooting happened around 11:10 p.m. in the Eastern Market neighborhood, according to the Associated Press. Jeffery Carroll, interim chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, said seven or eight National Guard members were sitting in a parked van monitoring a fight on a sidewalk when the situation escalated.
What Happened During The Washington Fight
Carroll said the Guard members left their vehicle to try to break up the fight when they heard gunfire. “They exited their vehicle to try to intervene to try to stop the fight from occurring when they heard gunshots. An individual that had been involved in the fight had pulled out a firearm and began shooting,” Carroll said.
“The individual then pointed the weapon toward National Guard members, who returned fire,” Carroll said. Three Guard members discharged their weapons during the exchange. The suspect ran into a nearby alley after the initial shots were fired.
Condition Of Those Wounded
One National Guard member was struck in the leg. Police described the injury as non-life-threatening. The suspect was shot in the abdomen, also a non-life-threatening wound. Both were taken to hospitals for treatment, according to the Associated Press.
The suspect was taken into custody following the shooting. Police have not released the suspect’s identity or announced specific charges.
What The Incident Means For Guard Deployments
The shooting underscores the physical risks National Guard members face while stationed in Washington, D.C. neighborhoods, where their duties have included monitoring street-level disturbances. The seven or eight members involved were positioned in a van specifically to watch the sidewalk altercation before it turned into a gunfire exchange.
Background And Investigation Status
Authorities have not disclosed whether anyone else was hurt in the initial fight that preceded the shooting. Police also have not said whether the suspect has a prior criminal record. The Metropolitan Police Department has not released further details on the state of its investigation beyond Carroll’s public remarks.
What’s Next
No additional details on charges or the identities of those involved have been released. The Metropolitan Police Department is expected to provide further information as the investigation into the shooting continues.
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