Investigators are examining a shocking line of inquiry into last month's deadly shooting of two National Guard troops in Washington DC: that the suspect may have been blackmailed by the Taliban into carrying out the attack.
A Fatal Attack Blocks from the White House
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old former Afghan fighter, is charged with first-degree murder after allegedly opening fire on two soldiers from the West Virginia National Guard on 26 November. The shooting occurred just blocks from the White House, killing one soldier and critically wounding the other.
Sources with knowledge of the investigation have revealed to The Daily Beast that US intelligence is actively pursuing whether a Taliban hit squad threatened Lakanwal's family back in Afghanistan. The sources indicated he may have been forced to complete a mission under the threat that his loved ones would be beaten, killed, or even beheaded.
"It is by no means our only line of inquiry," one intelligence source told the outlet, while adding, "People in this country have no idea about the level of stress these people are under."
A Complex Background and Potential Motives
Lakanwal's case presents a complex picture. A married father-of-five, he had worked alongside US Special Forces in Afghanistan as a GPS tracking specialist, with CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirming he had direct links to the agency. He assisted American forces during the chaotic evacuation of Kabul in August 2021 and was one of the last to leave.
Despite this service, he reportedly faced immense pressure. According to the report, Lakanwal was deeply concerned about his financial situation and feared that the Trump administration might block his Green Card application, potentially forcing a return to Afghanistan.
He entered the US in September 2021 as a refugee under Operation Allies Welcome. After his visa expired, he applied for asylum, which was granted by the Trump administration in April 2025. A White House official stated he would not have been removed due to his parole status, granted under President Biden.
Investigative Puzzles and a Wider Pattern of Threats
Authorities remain puzzled by key aspects of the case, notably why Lakanwal would drive cross-country on what appeared to be a suicide mission armed only with a revolver to target heavily armed personnel. Investigators point out he has no prior criminal record, no known extremist ties, and had been vetted by two US administrations.
The threat to Afghans who worked with the West is severe and ongoing. Intelligence sources indicate that the Taliban's Yarmouk 60 unit has been actively hunting such individuals for five years. In one grim instance cited by sources to The Swamp, after a member of an elite Afghan unit escaped to Germany, the Taliban killed his wife, father, and four children, beheading two daughters.
"Most of them have families back home, and if the Taliban cannot get to them, they are making it very clear that they will go after their families," intelligence sources stated.
The victims of the 26 November attack were Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, who later died from her injuries, and Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, who remains hospitalised. Following Beckstrom's death, Lakanwal's charges were upgraded to first-degree murder.
A childhood friend revealed to The New York Times that Lakanwal, who served in the CIA-backed 'Zero Unit', struggled with his mental health, haunted by the violence he witnessed and carried out. "When he saw blood, bodies, and the wounded, he could not tolerate it," the friend said. "It put a lot of pressure on his mind."
The investigation continues as authorities weigh the possibilities of coercion, personal grievance, and the long shadow of the war in Afghanistan.
