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A brazen daytime shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C. has rattled officials and raised questions about security in the nation’s capital. The attack, carried out by a man authorities identified as an Afghan national, occurred just a day before Thanksgiving and left both service members in critical condition.
The wounded troops belong to the West Virginia National Guard, which had deployed hundreds of personnel to Washington as part of President Donald Trump’s controversial crime-fighting initiative that placed federal control over aspects of local policing. Nearly 2,200 Guard members were stationed in D.C. as part of this mission when the attack occurred.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey initially posted on social media that two Guard members had been killed but later retracted this statement, citing “conflicting reports” about their condition. Officials have not yet released the names or further details about the wounded troops.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser described the incident as a “targeted shooting.” According to Jeffery Carroll, an executive assistant D.C. police chief, surveillance video reviewed by investigators showed the assailant “came around the corner” and immediately opened fire on the troops with a revolver.
Law enforcement officials speaking on condition of anonymity revealed that at least one Guard member exchanged gunfire with the shooter. After the initial attack, troops quickly subdued the gunman, holding him down until he could be taken into custody. Investigators currently believe he acted alone.
Authorities have identified the suspect as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, believed to be a 29-year-old Afghan national. According to law enforcement sources, Lakanwal entered the United States in September 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, a Biden administration program that evacuated and resettled tens of thousands of Afghans following America’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Kristina Widman, Lakanwal’s former landlord, stated that he arrived in Bellingham, Washington, approximately four years ago with his wife and five children. They were among roughly 800 Afghan refugees who settled in Washington state under the program, receiving financial support from the U.S. government and assistance from organizations like World Relief, a faith-based group that helped refugees find housing, language classes, and employment training in the Seattle area.
Investigators are still working to confirm details of Lakanwal’s background and determine how he traveled approximately 2,500 miles from Washington state to the nation’s capital. Most crucially, authorities have not yet established a clear motive for the attack.
In response to the shooting, President Trump announced plans to deploy an additional 500 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., though it remains unclear which states would provide these forces. As of early November, the D.C. National Guard maintained the largest presence with 949 personnel, supplemented by forces from West Virginia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama.
The deployment itself has been controversial. Just last week, a federal judge ordered an end to the Guard mission but stayed her decision for 21 days to allow the Trump administration time to either withdraw the troops or file an appeal.
This incident comes at a time of heightened tensions in the capital and raises questions about both the security of military personnel and the vetting processes for immigrants entering through emergency resettlement programs. The investigation continues as authorities piece together the events leading up to this troubling attack on American service members.
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6 Comments
It’s concerning to hear that this was a targeted shooting. I hope the investigation uncovers the full details and motives behind this attack. The security of our service members should be the top priority.
I agree, the security of our National Guard must be a top concern. Hopefully, the authorities can quickly determine the full circumstances and ensure something like this doesn’t happen again.
This is a disturbing incident that raises serious questions about security and the safety of our National Guard members deployed in the nation’s capital. I hope the wounded troops make a full recovery.
This is a very troubling situation. I’m relieved the initial reports of fatalities were inaccurate, but the fact that two service members were critically injured is still deeply concerning. Wishing them a full and speedy recovery.
It’s disconcerting to hear that our National Guard members were targeted in this way while carrying out their duties in Washington, D.C. I hope the investigation provides more clarity on the motives and circumstances around this attack.
My thoughts are with the wounded National Guard members and their families. I hope the authorities get to the bottom of this incident swiftly and take any necessary steps to protect our service members in the nation’s capital.