Who's Rahmanullah Lakanwal, Afghan gunman who shot 2 National Guards
What's the story
Authorities have identified the suspect in the shooting of two National Guard members near the White House as Rahmanullah Lakanwal. The 29-year-old Afghan national entered the United States during the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal in 2021, law enforcement sources told the New York Post. The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon close to Farragut Metro Station, where National Guard personnel were on high-visibility patrols.
Shooting details
Lakanwal's attack and subsequent arrest
Lakanwal was allegedly lying in ambush before he turned the corner near the Farragut West Metro Station in Northwest DC at approximately 2:15pm, then fired his weapon at a female guard in the chest. He then shot her in the head. After that, Lakanwal allegedly fired at and struck the second guard before a third guard stationed nearby intervened and shot him. He was shot four times by responding law enforcement officers and taken into custody.
Ongoing probe
Investigation underway, motive remains unclear
The FBI is investigating the incident as a potential act of terrorism. Federal agencies are working to determine Lakanwal's background and motive for the attack, which remains unknown. The Metropolitan Police Department's Jeffery Carroll described the shooting as calculated but confirmed no evidence of additional suspects. As of Wednesday evening (local time), a motive was not yet known, but DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said on X that the person responsible would "be prosecuted to the full extent of the law."
Presidential reaction
President Trump's response
President Donald Trump has since used this incident to criticize his predecessor Joe Biden's immigration policies. About 90,000 Afghans were allowed entry and became eligible for Special Immigrant Visas under the Biden administration's Operation Allies Refuge (OAR) and Operation Allies Welcome (OAW) programs. These initiatives provided the foreign nationals immigration processing and resettlement support. According to a Justice Department inspector general report, 55 Afghan evacuees who immigrated from the Middle Eastern country were added to the terrorism watchlist in June.
Suspect
Suspect served in army
New York Post sources said that Lakanwal overstayed his Special Immigration Visa issued under the Biden Administration plan and was staying in the country illegally. FOX News reported that his visa expired in September. A family member told NBC News that he served in the Afghan Army for 10 years. He was stationed at a base in Kandahar for a part of that time. After the Taliban took over, Lakanwal moved to the US.
Deployment debate
National Guard's presence in Washington, political implications
National Guard troops have been stationed throughout Washington since August, when the Trump administration declared a "crime emergency" and ordered them to assist federal and local law enforcement. Currently, around 2,400 National Guard troops are stationed in Washington. Trump stated that he has authorized the rebranded "war department" to dispatch an additional 500 guard members to Washington following the shooting.