Authorities now say the suspect in the Washington, D.C. shooting of two National Guard members is 29‑year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal — a man who entered the U.S. in 2021 under the Operation Allies Welcome program.
Law enforcement sources told CBS News the attack, just blocks from the White House near the Farragut West Metro station, appears to have been an ambush-style shooting carried out with a handgun. During the confrontation, Lakanwal was wounded and taken into custody.
BREAKING: Per multiple federal law enforcement sources, the suspect in custody for the shooting of two National Guard soldiers in DC is an Afghan national who entered the U.S. on 9/8/2021 as part of the Biden admin’s Operation Allies Welcome in the aftermath of the US withdrawal…
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) November 27, 2025
The two injured Guardsmen — both from the West Virginia National Guard — remain hospitalized in critical condition, according to officials. Early confusion about their status prompted an initial erroneous report by the state’s governor; that statement was later retracted, citing conflicting information.
The shooting is now being treated by the FBI and other federal agencies as a possible terrorist attack.
NBC News: Two senior U.S. law enforcement officials say that the man they believe is the suspect in today’s National Guard shooting, used a handgun in the attack and has been initially identified as an Afghan national.
Reported w/ @KellyO
— Tom Winter (@Tom_Winter) November 26, 2025
In response, Donald Trump condemned the attack as a “savage,” “evil,” and “terror” act, calling the suspect an “animal” who “will pay a very steep price.” He announced that he has ordered deployment of an additional 500 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C.
Meanwhile, JD Vance — speaking to troops in Kentucky — urged attendees to pray for the wounded Guardsmen, expressing hope they’ll recover and spend the upcoming holiday with their families.