Police standing at the scene in Washington. Reuters
Police identified the man accused of shooting two national guard members near the White House on Wednesday. Officials named him as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan citizen who entered the United States under a program created after the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Homeland Security released the details after the arrest.
Lakanwal remains in custody. Officers also shot him during the incident. He suffered injuries, though officials say his condition is not critical. A law enforcement source shared the information on background and asked not to be named.
Immigration Status Under Scrutiny
Lakanwal arrived through Operation Allies Welcome, a resettlement effort formed during the 2021 evacuation. Reports say immigration officials granted him asylum earlier this year. These details quickly stirred political debate as reactions spread across the country.
During a short speech from Palm Beach, Florida, President Donald Trump called the event “an act of terror.” He said Homeland Security believes the suspect entered as part of the post-withdrawal resettlement. He expressed sympathy for the victims but also pushed for a harder line on migrants.
“We’re filled with anguish and grief for those who were shot,” he said. He then added that he felt “righteous anger and ferocious resolve” and promised that the person responsible would face “the steepest possible price.”
Trump condemned the previous administration’s handling of Afghan arrivals. He claimed the shooting reflected weak screening and called Afghanistan “a hellhole on earth.” He said the suspect came to the U.S. in 2021 on flights arranged during the evacuation. He did not mention the screening carried out by military, intelligence and immigration officers at the time.
The president ended his remarks by demanding a full review of all Afghans admitted under the program. He pushed for changes to refugee and asylum rules and said people who “can’t love our country” should not remain.
Shooting Near Busy Metro Station
The attack happened near the Farragut West metro station in central Washington. Authorities say the two national guard members, one man and one woman from West Virginia, suffered critical injuries. Police have not released their names.
Washington police official Jeffrey Carroll said the suspect “came around the corner” and began firing without warning. Witnesses recorded video of police and guard members detaining the suspect. Some images showed officers giving CPR to one of the victims moments after the shooting.
National Guard Presence in the Capital
National guard troops have stood across the capital since August. The Trump administration declared a “crime emergency” and ordered thousands of guard members into the city. Reports say about 2,375 remain on duty. After Wednesday’s shooting, Trump said he ordered another 500 guard members to deploy.
A recent ruling by U.S. district judge Jia Cobb found the continued deployment likely unlawful. The judge ordered the operation to end, though the change will not take effect until next month. The administration plans to appeal the decision.
