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The Afghan suspect in the National Guard shooting near the White House had ties to U.S. intelligence agencies during his time in Afghanistan, according to officials familiar with the investigation. Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, allegedly shot two West Virginia National Guard members just blocks from the White House in what authorities are now investigating as a possible act of international terrorism.
Lakanwal entered the United States in September 2021 under “Operation Allies Welcome,” following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan the previous month. Intelligence sources revealed to Fox News Digital that he had worked with various U.S. government entities, including the CIA, as a member of a partner force in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
“In the wake of the disastrous Biden withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Biden administration justified bringing the alleged shooter to the United States in September 2021 due to his prior work with the U.S. government, including CIA, as a member of a partner force in Kandahar, which ended shortly following the chaotic evacuation,” CIA Director John Ratcliffe told Fox News Digital.
Ratcliffe criticized the decision to allow Lakanwal into the country, saying, “The individual—and so many others—should have never been allowed to come here. Our citizens and service members deserve far better than to endure the ongoing fallout from the Biden administration’s catastrophic failures.”
Both National Guard members remain in critical condition following what D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser described as a “targeted shooting” where “one individual appeared to target these guardsmen.” The FBI has assumed lead in the investigation, with multiple high-level intelligence sources indicating the shooting is being investigated as a possible act of international terrorism.
The incident occurred amid heightened security in the capital, with numerous National Guard troops deployed to Washington. Law enforcement responded quickly to the scene, securing the area and taking Lakanwal into custody shortly after the shooting.
President Donald Trump addressed the nation late Wednesday, calling the attack “savage” and describing how one guardsman “was shot at point-blank range in a monstrous ambush-style attack just steps away from the White House.”
“The heinous assault was an act of evil and act of hatred and an act of terror. It was a crime against our entire nation. It was a crime against humanity,” Trump said. He expressed that “the hearts of all Americans tonight are with those two members of the West Virginia National Guard and their families,” adding that he is “determined to ensure that the animal who perpetrated this atrocity pays the steepest possible price.”
The shooting has renewed concerns about the vetting process for Afghan evacuees who entered the United States following the 2021 withdrawal. Operation Allies Welcome brought tens of thousands of Afghan nationals to the U.S., including many who had worked with American forces or agencies during the two-decade-long war.
Security experts have long debated the thoroughness of background checks performed on evacuees during the rushed evacuation from Afghanistan. The incident may prompt additional scrutiny of immigration policies relating to Afghan evacuees and the broader security implications of the 2021 withdrawal.
The timing of the shooting, occurring near the White House and targeting military personnel, has heightened tensions in Washington. Law enforcement officials continue to investigate Lakanwal’s motives and whether he had connections to any terrorist organizations after arriving in the United States.
As the investigation unfolds, officials have not yet released additional details about Lakanwal’s activities since arriving in the country or what might have prompted the attack on National Guard members.
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8 Comments
It’s troubling to learn that the suspect had ties to U.S. intelligence agencies in Afghanistan. This incident raises important questions about the potential security risks posed by individuals with such backgrounds entering the country. Thorough investigations and improved vetting protocols are clearly needed.
This news is deeply concerning. If the suspect did have links to U.S. government entities, including the CIA, during his time in Afghanistan, it’s critical that we understand how he was able to gain entry to the United States and what security measures were in place. Public safety must be the top priority.
I agree, this situation warrants a thorough investigation to determine how this individual was able to enter the country and what gaps in the vetting process may have allowed it to happen. Comprehensive security measures are essential.
This is a concerning development. If the suspect did indeed have ties to U.S. intelligence agencies, it raises serious questions about the vetting process for refugees and immigrants, especially those with sensitive government connections. We need to ensure proper security checks are in place to protect the public.
I agree, this incident highlights the need for thorough background checks and security protocols. The safety of our citizens should be the top priority.
The details around this suspect’s work with U.S. government entities in Afghanistan are quite alarming. While I understand the desire to assist former partners, the safety implications must be carefully weighed. Proper vetting and risk assessment are critical before granting entry to the country.
Absolutely. This case underscores the complex challenges in balancing national security and humanitarian concerns. Rigorous screening processes are essential, even for individuals with prior government connections.
The details around this suspect’s background and connections to U.S. government agencies in Afghanistan are extremely troubling. While the desire to assist former partners is understandable, the potential security risks must be carefully evaluated. Improved vetting procedures are clearly needed to protect the public.