Massachusetts elected officials took to social media to express prayers and condemn violence after two National Guard members were shot in an ambush-style attack blocks from the White House in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.
On Thursday, one of the two members died from their injuries. The other Guard member remains in critical condition, FBI Director Kash Patel and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said during a news conference. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey initially announced that the two soldiers had died, then walked back his statement.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said President Trump has asked him to add 500 more National Guard members to Washington, D.C.
Governor Maura Healey issued a statement Wednesday evening denouncing the “senseless violence.”
“On the night before Thanksgiving, two families are receiving this tragic news,” Healey’s statement said. “My heart goes out to the loved ones of the two National Guardsmen who were shot in Washington DC today and I’m praying for their recovery.”
“Our service members take an oath to protect us, and they deserve better than this type of senseless violence,” she said. “I want all men and women serving across the country, including our Massachusetts National Guard, to know that they are in my thoughts today and every day, and they have the full support and gratitude of our entire state.”
Healey, in a social media post, also expressed her gratitude for the first responders and prayers for the Guard members.
“Violence anywhere is wrong. An assault on American soldiers in our nation’s capital is outrageous — and something every American should mourn and denounce,” Healey wrote on X.
In an email to the Globe, officials from the National Guard in Massachusetts said they “stand in solidarity with our fellow service members deployed across the country and overseas in service of our nation and our shared duty.”
“Today we learned with deep sorrow that two members of the West Virginia National Guard were shot near the White House in Washington, D.C.,” the email from Major General Gary W. Keefe, the adjutant general, said.
“On behalf of all our soldiers and airmen, our thoughts and prayers are with these guardsmen, their families, loved ones, and colleagues.”
Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren called the shooting “a horrific act of violence.”
“I’m praying for these servicemembers and their loved ones,” Warren said in a post on X.
Democratic House Whip Katherine Clark of Revere echoed the senator.
“I’m horrified by the attack on two National Guard members today in D.C.,” Clark wrote on X. ”Praying for a full recovery and comfort for their families. The violence has got to stop.”
Senator Edward J. Markey also took to social media to express his distress.
“I am devastated by reports that two West Virginia National Guard troops were shot in Washington, D.C. this afternoon,” Markey said in a post on X. “My thoughts are with the service members and their fellow Guardsmen, their families, and the people of West Virginia during this difficult time.”
Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn called out the deliberate violence in a post on X.
“Our prayers are with members of the West Virginia National Guard who were violently and deliberately shot while deployed in Washington, D.C.,” Flynn’s post said. “The heroic guardsmen swore an oath to protect our nation & U.S. Constitution. Violence against law enforcement & U.S.military is always wrong!”
Massachusetts Representative Ayanna Pressley said in a statement on social media Wednesday that she was “horrified” by the attack.
“No family should endure the trauma of gun violence, especially so close to Thanksgiving,” she wrote.
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Original story HERE.