Breaking News: Afghan National Identified as Suspect in DC National Guard Shooting
A disturbing incident unfolded near the White House on Wednesday, leaving two National Guard troops wounded. The suspected shooter, identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, has been taken into custody. According to the Department of Homeland Security, Lakanwal previously worked with the US government, including the CIA, as a member of a partner force in Kandahar, which ended in 2021 following the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Background of the Suspect
Lakanwal entered the United States in 2021 under a Biden-era program for Afghan nationals called Operation Allies Welcome. He was paroled into the US on humanitarian grounds and later applied for asylum, which was granted in 2025. However, his request for a green card is still pending. It is worth noting that many Afghan nationals who were admitted to the US in 2021 were issued special immigrant visas or given temporary humanitarian status.
Connection to US Forces and CIA
A CIA spokesperson confirmed that Lakanwal worked with the US government, including the CIA, during the war in Afghanistan. Additionally, CBS News learned that he led a team in the former Afghan national armed forces that worked directly with US and British forces. A former Afghan commando revealed that Lakanwal was deeply troubled by the death of a close friend and fellow Afghan commander in 2024, who had unsuccessfully sought asylum in the US.
Investigation and Charges
The suspect was shot by another Guard member and taken into custody. He is currently hospitalized and is not cooperating with authorities. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced that Lakanwal will be charged with three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. The charges may change pending the condition of the Guardsmen.
Incident Details
According to Jeff Carroll, executive assistant chief of the DC Metropolitan Police Department, the suspect appeared to be a “lone gunman” who “ambushed” the National Guard members as they patrolled near a mass transit station in downtown DC. The suspect had four rounds in his handgun initially and took the weapon of the first victim, a female Guard member, to continue shooting. The two wounded Guard members are in critical condition.
Search and Investigation
A search warrant was executed at the suspect’s last known address in Washington state, and numerous electronic devices were seized for analysis. Interviews were conducted, and law enforcement is following leads across the country. It is believed that the suspect had five children and drove to DC from Bellingham, Washington, with the intention of targeting the nation’s capital.
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