Two West Virginia National Guard members were shot and remain in critical condition, authorities said during a broadcast interview on Friday. Officials said a suspect was also wounded and is in custody, and investigators have not determined a motive.

Senator Jim Justice, identified in the interview as a Republican from West Virginia, said he had no new medical updates but called the guardsmen "heroes" and asked West Virginians to keep them "in our prayers." Justice said he learned of the shootings less than two hours before the interview and had not yet been in contact with the families.

The shooting prompted a federal request for additional troops: the president has requested 500 more National Guard personnel to Washington, D.C., according to the interview. When asked whether West Virginia would send additional troops, Justice said he hoped the state would and that the Guard would "step up" if called.

A former FBI executive, interviewed earlier on the program, had raised concerns — referenced by the host — that deploying more troops quickly could increase their risk of being targeted. Justice responded: "We can't be afraid," and said the goal of deployments should be to "make things safer" for the public.

Justice framed the incident in the context of the Guard's broader service to the state, recounting past responses to floods and the COVID-19 pandemic and praising their work at facilities such as the Greenbrier Hotel during emergency operations. He urged support for the roughly 160 West Virginia guardsmen currently serving in Washington, D.C., and extended condolences to families during the Thanksgiving period.

The interview also touched on the flow of information from elected officials: the host said that some initial information from the governor had been retracted, and Justice said he had not spoken with the president but expected the governor to speak publicly to comfort residents.

Investigators continue to probe the shooting. Officials told the program that they believe the attack was targeted but that the motive remains unclear. No formal charges or additional operational details were announced during the interview.