Shooting Rocks Washington D.C. Near White House
A shocking incident unfolded just 800 yards from the White House on Wednesday afternoon, leaving two National Guard soldiers critically injured. The alleged shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, an Afghan immigrant, is now in custody following the horror shootout.
Shooter's Troubled Past and CIA Links Revealed
Lakanwal arrived in America in 2021 as part of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. He had served as an ally to Special Forces troops in a CIA-backed paramilitary outfit known as the 'Zero Unit,' often described as a 'death squad' engaged in combat with the Taliban.
A longtime friend has since revealed that Lakanwal 'suffered mental issues' stemming from his years of fighting. The friend told The New York Times, 'When he saw blood, bodies, and the wounded, he could not tolerate it. It put a lot of pressure on his mind.' His role involved night raids and covert operations, and his friend stated their military operations were 'very tough' and placed them under immense pressure.
His initial entry into the US was under the Biden administration's Operation Allies Welcome in September 2021. After his temporary visa lapsed, he applied for asylum in 2024. In a twist, the Trump administration granted his asylum in April 2025.
Political Blame Game and Aftermath
Hours after the attack, CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed Lakanwal was known to the agency and had worked with a partner force in Kandahar. He stated, 'The individual - and so many others - should have never been allowed to come here,' placing blame on the Biden administration's withdrawal.
However, it was later clarified that while the Biden administration initially paroled him into the country, it was the subsequent Trump administration that approved his asylum application. A White House official contended that Lakanwal would not have been removed due to his parole status granted by the Biden administration.
The two soldiers shot, Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24, remain in critical condition after surgery. In a devastating update, Beckstrom's father revealed that his daughter has a 'mortal wound' and will not survive.
Officials confirmed Lakanwal had driven across the country from his home in Bellingham, Washington, before opening fire with a .357 Smith and Wesson revolver. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro's notes from a briefing mentioned the suspected shooter yelled 'allahu akbar' before the attack.
