Shocking Attack
Afghan National Rahmanullah Lakanwal Shot 2 National Guard Members Near White House
In the shadow of the White House, a former Afghan ally turns assassin: Rahmanullah Lakanwal's brazen ambush on National Guard heroes ignites a firestorm of betrayal, terror probes, and immigration fury.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, has been identified as the suspect in the ambush shooting of two West Virginia National Guard members in downtown Washington, D.C., yesterday (Wednesday).
The incident, described by officials as a targeted attack by a lone gunman, has drawn widespread attention due to Lakanwal's background as a resettled Afghan ally and the proximity to the White House.
Lakanwal entered the United States in September 2021 as part of the Biden administration's Operation Allies Welcome, a program that resettled approximately 200,000 Afghans following the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Prior to his resettlement, he served for a decade in the Afghan army, including alongside U.S. Special Forces at a base in Kandahar.
He applied for asylum in 2024, which was granted in April 2025.
At the time of the shooting, Lakanwal was living in Bellingham, Washington state, with his wife and five children, and had been working for Amazon and its delivery service, Amazon Flex.
Federal sources have confirmed his connection to Washington state, though details on how he traveled to D.C. remain under investigation.
The shooting occurred around 2:15 p.m. near the Farragut West Metro station at 17th and I Streets NW, just blocks from the White House.
Authorities say Lakanwal approached the two Guard members, who were on high-visibility patrols as part of a deployment ordered by President Donald Trump to enhance security in the capital.
He allegedly used a handgun to shoot a female Guard member multiple times before seizing her service weapon and firing at a male Guard member.
A third Guard member returned fire, wounding Lakanwal, who was then taken into custody by D.C. Metropolitan Police.
Lakanwal is currently hospitalized in serious condition and has not been cooperating with investigators.
The victims, identified in part as Andrew Wolfe from West Virginia, remain in critical condition but are alive, correcting earlier erroneous reports of their deaths.
The FBI is investigating the incident as a potential act of international terrorism, probing Lakanwal's motives, though no links to broader terrorist organizations have been established at this time.
Officials have emphasized that the attack appears isolated, with no immediate threats to the public.
A relative of Lakanwal, who also served with him in the Afghan military, expressed shock, stating they could not believe he would commit such an act and noting they had not spoken in months.
The relative described Lakanwal as having been focused on his work and family during their last contact.
The event has intensified political debates on immigration and vetting processes. President Trump has condemned the shooting and ordered a review of Afghan refugee admissions, describing it as highlighting national security risks.
The deployment was part of a militarized law enforcement mission challenged in court.
Advocacy groups have called for restraint in generalizations about the Afghan community.
As the FBI continues to probe Lakanwal's motives and background, including any potential connections or inspirations, updates are expected in the coming days.