Two West Virginia National Guard members were left in critical condition after a daylight ambush just blocks from the White House, an attack officials say they are investigating as a possible act of terrorism.
The suspect, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the US in 2021 following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, was quickly subdued and taken into custody after other Guard members at the scene intervened.
In the hours after the shooting, President Donald Trump called for a sweeping re-examination of all Afghan refugees admitted under the Biden administration, tying the attack directly to immigration and vetting policies.
What Happened Near the White House
The shooting unfolded on Wednesday afternoon roughly two blocks northwest of the White House, near the Farragut West Metro area.
According to DC police officials:
- Two uniformed West Virginia National Guard members were on duty when a man rounded a corner, raised a firearm and opened fire at close range.
- Both Guard members were struck; one was reportedly shot in the head.
- Other nearby Guard personnel quickly moved in, subduing and disarming the gunman within moments.
- Emergency crews rushed all three — the two soldiers and the suspect — to local hospitals.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser described the shooting as a “targeted” attack on service members. Officials have emphasized that, at this stage, there is no indication of additional suspects.
Initial reports from West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey suggested both Guard members had died, but his office later walked that back, saying there were “conflicting reports” about their condition and promising further updates.
Who Is the Suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal?
Authorities say Lakanwal, an Afghan national, entered the US legally in September 2021 in the wave of Afghan arrivals that followed the US military withdrawal from Afghanistan, under the federal Operation Allies Welcome program.
Investigators are still working to determine:
- Whether he had any direct links to extremist groups
- How long he had been planning the attack
- What motivated him to target uniformed Guard personnel near the White House
Federal officials have confirmed that the case is being investigated as a possible act of terrorism, but have cautioned that a definitive motive has not yet been established.
Trump’s Response: Calls to Re-Vet Afghan Refugees
After being briefed on the shooting, President Trump ordered the White House into lockdown and later addressed the nation from Florida.
On social media and in a recorded video message, he:
- Praised the National Guard and other first responders, saying, “God bless our great National Guard, and all of our military and law enforcement.”
- Vowed the US would “never bend and never yield in the face of terror.”
- Called for a full reinvestigation of “every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan under Biden,” and broader measures to remove any non-citizen “who does not belong here or add benefit to our country.”
The president’s comments signal a new push for sweeping reviews of refugee and parole cases, particularly those tied to Afghanistan and other countries already under tighter scrutiny.
For background on the Guard’s mission and current deployments, readers can refer to the official site of the United States National Guard.
Federal Agencies Treat the Attack as a Major Security Event
The shooting triggered an urgent response across Washington:
- The Joint D.C. Task Force, ATF, FBI, and Metropolitan Police all converged on the scene.
- The White House and several foreign embassies went into temporary lockdown while authorities confirmed there were no additional threats.
- Social media video from bystanders captured first responders performing CPR on one Guard member and treating the other on a glass-strewn sidewalk.
Jeanine Pirro, the US Attorney for the District of Columbia, said in a statement that her office “stands ready to seek justice” in the case. Prosecutors are expected to weigh potential charges ranging from assault with intent to kill to terrorism-related offenses, depending on what investigators uncover about motive and planning.
The Department of Homeland Security also issued a strongly worded statement condemning the attack, identifying the suspect as a beneficiary of mass parole under Operation Allies Welcome, and criticizing politicians and media voices it said “vilify our men and women in uniform.”
National Guard Presence in DC Already Under Fire
The attack comes against the backdrop of an already tense debate over the continued deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C.
- More than 300 West Virginia National Guard members and other units from multiple states have been stationed in the capital since August as part of Trump’s “anti-crime” crackdown, which has drawn legal challenges from local leaders.
- Just days before the shooting, a federal judge ordered an end to the Guard deployment, but put that order on hold for 21 days to give the administration time to comply or appeal.
- In direct response to Wednesday’s attack, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Trump requested an additional 500 Guard troops for Washington, effectively doubling down on the controversial deployment strategy.
Supporters of the deployment argue that a visible military presence deters violence and reassures residents. Critics say it militarizes domestic policing and risks turning the capital into a permanent security zone.
What Happens Next
Investigators are now focused on several key questions:
- Motive: Was this attack ideologically driven, personally motivated, or something else?
- Network: Did Lakanwal act entirely alone, or did he have support or encouragement from others?
- Policy fallout: How far will the administration go in using this case to justify broader immigration crackdowns, especially on Afghans who arrived after the 2021 evacuation?
The outcome of the investigation — and the policy moves that follow — will have implications not only for security in Washington, D.C., but also for Afghan allies and other refugees whose futures in the US may now face renewed political and legal scrutiny.
