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An Afghan national has been accused of shooting two West Virginia National Guard members just blocks from the White House in what authorities described as a targeted attack. The incident occurred Wednesday afternoon, leaving both guard members hospitalized in critical condition.
FBI Director Kash Patel and Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed the severity of the injuries. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey initially announced the troops had died but later retracted his statement, citing “conflicting reports” about their condition.
The shooting comes at a politically sensitive time, as the deployment of National Guard troops in Washington and other U.S. cities has become a contentious issue amid ongoing court battles. In response to the attack, the Trump administration immediately ordered an additional 500 National Guard members to the capital.
The 29-year-old suspect, identified by law enforcement officials as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was also shot during the incident and sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities are still working to confirm his background.
According to officials, Lakanwal entered the United States in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, a Biden administration program that evacuated and resettled approximately 76,000 Afghans following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Many participants in the program had worked alongside American troops and diplomats as interpreters and translators.
The suspect had been living in Washington state with his wife and five children in Bellingham, about 79 miles north of Seattle, according to his former landlord Kristina Widman.
President Donald Trump responded to the incident with a video message on social media, calling for the reinvestigation of all Afghan refugees who entered under the Biden administration. “If they can’t love our country, we don’t want them,” Trump stated, adding that the shooting was “a crime against our entire nation.”
Jeffery Carroll, an executive assistant D.C. police chief, reported that investigators had no information on a motive for the attack. According to video evidence reviewed by investigators, the assailant “came around the corner” and immediately opened fire on the troops.
“This was a targeted shooting,” Mayor Bowser emphasized.
The incident occurred approximately two blocks northwest of the White House near a metro station. When gunfire erupted, other troops in the vicinity responded quickly, helping to subdue the gunman after he was shot. It remains unclear whether one of the guard members or a law enforcement officer shot the suspect.
At least one of the guard members exchanged gunfire with the shooter, according to an anonymous law enforcement official. Social media videos from the aftermath showed first responders performing CPR on one of the troops and treating the other on a sidewalk covered in broken glass.
Michael Ryan, who witnessed the incident from across the street, described hearing loud bangs before people began running. When he returned to the scene, he saw someone pinned to the ground as people shouted “stay down,” while nearby National Guard troops embraced each other in apparent distress.
Emma McDonald, who exited a metro station just after the shots were fired, took shelter in a café with others. Minutes later, she witnessed first responders transporting a National Guard member whose head was covered in blood.
The scene was quickly secured with police tape, while agents from the Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives responded. National Guard troops stood guard as helicopters hovered overhead, with at least one landing on the National Mall.
Vice President JD Vance, speaking from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, called the incident “a somber reminder that soldiers, whether they’re active duty, reserve or National Guard, our soldiers are the sword and the shield of the United States of America.” General Steven Nordhaus, chief of the National Guard Bureau, canceled plans to spend Thanksgiving with troops at Guantanamo Bay to be with guard members in Washington instead.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll visited the wounded National Guard members in the hospital, stating on social media that his “heart breaks for them.”
The National Guard deployment in Washington has been controversial. Trump issued an emergency order in August that federalized the local police force and deployed National Guard troops from eight states and the District of Columbia. Though the order expired after a month, the troops remained.
Currently, nearly 2,200 troops are assigned to the joint task force operating in the city. Last week, a federal judge ordered an end to the deployment but suspended her order for 21 days to allow the administration time to either remove the troops or appeal.
The guard members have been patrolling neighborhoods, train stations, and other locations, participating in highway checkpoints, and performing duties such as trash collection and security at sports events.
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9 Comments
The timing of this attack, with the ongoing debates over National Guard deployments, adds an extra layer of complexity. I’m curious to learn more about the shooter’s history and potential ties to extremist groups.
This incident underscores the challenges of balancing security and civil liberties, especially in the nation’s capital. Transparent and impartial investigations will be crucial to maintaining public trust.
My heart goes out to the injured National Guard members and their families. I hope the authorities can provide a clear and thorough account of what happened to bring some closure.
This is a concerning and tragic incident. I hope the injured National Guard members make a full recovery. It’s critical that we get to the bottom of the shooter’s motivations and background to prevent such attacks in the future.
Agreed. The security implications of this shooting so close to the White House are very serious. Rigorous investigation is needed to determine if this was an isolated incident or part of a broader threat.
While the details remain unclear, this event underscores the complex security challenges faced by authorities tasked with protecting the nation’s capital. I’m interested to see how policymakers address this incident and work to prevent future attacks.
It’s unsettling to see violence so close to the seat of US power. I hope the investigation can quickly determine the shooter’s motivations and whether this was an isolated act or part of a broader threat.
While the details are still emerging, this event raises serious concerns about the safety and security around key government institutions. I’m interested to see how policymakers respond to strengthen protective measures.
Absolutely. The proximity to the White House makes this an especially worrying incident. Maintaining public confidence in the ability of authorities to safeguard critical infrastructure will be paramount.