Late Wednesday afternoon, downtown Washington, D.C. erupted in chaos when two members of the West Virginia National Guard were shot in what officials now describe as a deliberate, ambush-style attack — just blocks from the White House. The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, is now in custody and being treated at a local hospital.
According to law enforcement sources, Lakanwal entered the United States in September 2021 under the Operation Allies Welcome program, which resettled Afghans following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Investigators say the suspect’s immigration parole had expired — reportedly in September 2025 — meaning he was in the country without valid status at the time of the shooting.
The shooting took place around 2:15 p.m. near the entrance to the Farragut West Metro Station, at the intersection of 17th and I Streets NW — a few blocks north of the White House. According to authorities, Lakanwal emerged from around a corner and opened fire on the two guardsmen, who were patrolling in plain military fatigues as part of a visible security presence.
The exchange was fast and furious: multiple rounds — by some accounts 10 to 15 — were fired. Guard members nearby immediately intervened, returning fire and eventually subduing Lakanwal. The suspect was struck multiple times and taken to a hospital, where he remains under police supervision.
The two Guard members — one man, one woman — suffered serious injuries and were rushed to local hospitals in critical condition. Early reporting from West Virginia Governor’s Office suggested the worst: that both had died. But later the governor retracted that statement, acknowledging that “conflicting reports” had emerged about their status. As of now, their condition remains “critical,” though unconfirmed claims of medical non-responsiveness have circulated.
Federal agencies — including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Metropolitan Police Department of D.C., along with U.S. Marshals and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) — have launched a joint investigation into the shooting. Officials say the attack is being treated as a potential act of terrorism.
In the hours after the shooting, the city was locked down: the White House went on lockdown, nearby federal buildings secured, and streets cleared as law enforcement scoured the area. The incident has triggered sharp political fallout. Donald Trump, currently at Mar-a-Lago, labeled the shooting an “act of evil … an act of terror,” calling for renewed scrutiny of Afghan entrants to the U.S. under the Biden-era resettlement program.
Meanwhile, critics have questioned whether deploying the National Guard in domestic law enforcement roles — a controversial decision taken in August 2025 — created a dangerous situation. The presence of nearly 2,200 Guard troops from multiple states had already sparked a heated national debate; now, their deployment is under renewed scrutiny.
For now, the motive behind the attack remains unclear. Lakanwal is reportedly not cooperating with investigators. Authorities urge anyone with video, witness observations, or other information to come forward. In the meantime, a city on edge is waiting — and hoping — for answers.
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