An Afghan national has been accused of shooting two West Virginia National Guard members just blocks from the White House in a brazen act of violence.

Two National Guard members were shot this afternoon in what appeared to be a "targeted" attack near the White House and are in critical condition, authorities say.

The West Virginia governor initially said the troops had died, but later walked back the statement to say his office was "receiving conflicting reports" about their condition.

President Donald Trump says Wednesday's attack on two National Guard members near the White House highlights the dangers of lax migration policies.

The suspect was also shot and taken to a hospital. He has been identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, four senior law enforcement sources briefed on the investigation said.

The FBI is investigating Wednesday's shooting as a possible act of terrorism, with Mayor Muriel Bowser calling it a "targeted shooting."

​More than 2,000 National Guard troops deployed to Washington in August after President Trump took federal control of the city’s police and mobilized the troops in what he described as a crackdown on crime. Since then, the troops have patrolled metro stations and tourist areas, and picked up trash around the National Mall.