Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who came to US in 2021 withdrawal, ID’d as alleged gunman who shot 2 National Guard members in DC
A 29‑year‑old Afghan man, who arrived in the United States during the 2021 evacuation of Kabul, was identified as the gunman who shot two National Guard soldiers in a surprise attack near the White House on Wednesday. Police officials told that the suspect’s name is Rahmanullah Lakanwal.
According to reports, Lakanwal was waiting beside a corner near Farragut West Metro Station in northwest Washington, D.C., around 2:15 p.m. He then opened fire, first striking a female guard in the chest and then shooting her in the head. Sources say he continued firing until a third guard who was on duty nearby rushed to the scene and tackled him.
The gunman launched his attack while the two soldiers were on patrol. Both were transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Investigators later found the suspect had been shot four times and was taken to an ambulance nearly naked. He operated alone.
Law enforcement officials have not yet disclosed the motive. An FBI spokesperson confirmed that the department is treating the incident as a possible terrorist act.
Mayor Muriel Bowser described the attack as a “targeted shooting” in which the assailant “appeared to target these guardsmen.” She said the event, an “ambush,” took place close to Farragut Square, an area known for its shops and restaurants.
Neither President Donald Trump nor Vice President J.D. Vance were in Washington at the time of the shooting—the former was in Florida and the latter in Kentucky visiting troops. Following the incident, President Trump ordered an additional 500 National Guard troops to be deployed to the capital.
“We will never back down. We will secure our capital. We will protect our cities,” Secretary of War Pete Hegseth told reporters. “President Trump has requested the addition of 500 National Guard troops to Washington, and I will forward that to the Secretary of the Army.”
“This will only strengthen our commitment to make Washington safe and beautiful,” Hegseth added. “Crime has been historically low and security has never been stronger.”
A Pentagon official disclosed that roughly 2,100 National Guard members were assigned to Washington, D.C., including about 900 from the D.C. National Guard and approximately 1,200 from other states.
Last week, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to pull National Guard troops out of the district but suspended that ruling until December 11 to allow for an appeal.
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