The suspected shooter of two national guard members in Washington DC on Wednesday worked with CIA-backed military units during the US war in Afghanistan, the agency has confirmed. The alleged gunman, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, came to the US in September 2021 under an Operation Allies Welcome programme that gave some Afghans who had worked for the US government entry visas. He was granted asylum in April this year.
Lakanwal’s ties to the Central Intelligence Agency were confirmed by CIA Director John Ratcliffe, who said the suspect worked “as a member of a partner force in Kandahar”. The New York Times reported that Lakanwal had worked for several US government agencies in Afghanistan, including CIA-backed units in the southern province.
The two victims, Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24, were members of the West Virginia national guard. Both had been sworn into service less than 24 hours before they were ambushed at a bus stop. Beckstrom succumbed to her injuries on Thursday evening, while Wolfe is fighting for his life, according to President Donald Trump.
Lakanwal faces three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and a firearms charge. The FBI is investigating the shooting as an act of terrorism. Following the attack, President Trump ordered 500 additional national guard troops to Washington DC and called for a review of asylum applications from Afghanistan.
