Washington, Nov 27: Investigators have identified a 29 year old Afghan national as the suspect behind the shooting that critically injured two National Guard members near the White House on Wednesday afternoon.
The alleged attacker has been named Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who reportedly entered the United States in 2021. While his identity has been verified, authorities are still assessing his background and potential motivations. No ideological motive has yet been confirmed, according to the FBI.
How the attack unfolded
The shooting took place near 17th Street and I Street NW, within walking distance of several federal buildings. National Guard personnel were conducting high-visibility patrols when Lakanwal reportedly stepped out from behind a corner, raised a handgun, and opened fire on two Guardsmen.
Other nearby troops immediately returned fire, prompting a rapid federal security response. Several government offices, including parts of the White House complex, were placed on precautionary lockdown while officials secured the area.
Injuries and federal response
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser and FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that the two Guardsmen remain in critical condition at a DC hospital. The suspect was also seriously injured during the exchange.
The FBI has categorised the incident as an assault on federal officers, initiating a terrorism-related investigation. The case is expected to be prosecuted at the federal level.
Initial reports from West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey incorrectly suggested the soldiers had died. He later issued a revised statement acknowledging conflicting reports and urged the public to await official updates.
Trump’s response
President Donald Trump condemned the shooting as “an act of evil and an act of terror,” describing it as “a crime against our entire nation.” He identified the suspect as a “foreigner who entered our country from Afghanistan” and criticised the previous administration for admitting him as a refugee.
Trump announced plans to reassess immigration records of Afghans admitted under the Biden administration, stating, “We must now re-examine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan under Biden… if they can’t love our country, we don’t want them.”
Security measures
In response to the heightened alert, Trump authorised the deployment of 500 additional National Guard troops to bolster security in Washington. The city currently has approximately 2,400 Guardsmen deployed, including personnel from DC and eight other states.
Mayor Bowser described the incident as a targeted shooting, highlighting concerns about the vulnerability of patrol units in high-security zones. Authorities continue to investigate the suspect’s background and gather evidence from the scene.