US EditionAuthorities Identify Afghan National Rahmanullah Lakanwal in DC Guard Shooting: Report
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021, ambushed two West Virginia National Guard members, critically wounding them in an attack near the White House.
- On Wednesday, President Donald Trump spoke live about a shooting that left two West Virginia National Guard troops in critical condition near the White House and ordered 500 more troops to Washington, D.C.
- The alleged shooter reportedly entered the U.S. under Operation Allies Welcome in 2021 after coming from Afghanistan, while President Donald Trump linked the attack to evacuation flights and urged reexamining immigrant screening.
- Near Farragut West, law enforcement says the ambush unfolded around 2:15 p.m. EST, a female National Guard member was struck in the chest and head, the suspect was shot four times and is in custody.
- Officials said Muriel Bowser, Washington, D.C. Mayor, and Kash Patel, government official, called the shooting targeted; Bowser and Kash Patel said victims are in critical condition, while Patrick Morrisey noted conflicting reports.
- Framing the incident as a national security issue, President Donald Trump said the Department of Homeland Security is confident the suspect entered from Afghanistan, calling it the "single greatest national security threat.
211 Articles
211 Articles
US: Two national guard members shot near the White House
Two National Guard soldiers were critically wounded in a targeted ambush near the White House. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal — an Afghan national who arrived in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome and was granted asylum in April 2025 — was shot and taken into custody. Authorities have not yet identified a motive, as FRANCE 24's Philip Turle explains.
A targeted attack on two members of the National Guard in Washington has far-reaching political consequences. The conflict over security and migration is intensifying. What we know so far:
Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal (29), accused of shooting two National Guardsmen near the White House, worked with multiple US government agencies, including the CIA, during his service in Afghanistan.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal. 29 year old. Afghan. In the United States since 2021. These are the data that the U.S. authorities have on the suspect accused of seriously wounding two members of the National Guard in a shooting near the White House on Wednesday. After knowing the origin of the attacker, the Trump Administration said that he had stopped processing immigration requests from Afghanistan, hours after officials in Washington detained this Afg…
By Zachary Cohen, Kaanita Iyer, Holmes Lybrand, Gabe Cohen and Evan Perez, CNN. The Department of Homeland Security has identified the suspect involved in Wednesday's shooting of two National Guard members, who remain in critical condition. The suspect is Rahmanullah Lakamal, who came to the United States from Afghanistan in 2021, the DHS said in a statement Wednesday night. Authorities previously reported that the suspect is in custody.
Two National Guard soldiers were fatally wounded in a shooting in downtown Washington, D.C., yesterday.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 40% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
