National Guard Shooting Rocks Washington DC Near White House
Two National Guard soldiers are fighting for their lives after a shooting incident just yards from the White House in Washington DC. The alleged gunman, identified as 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, remains in custody after being shot during the confrontation.
The attack occurred near Farragut West metro station at approximately 2:15pm on Wednesday, sending shockwaves through the nation's capital. Journalist Mari Otsu, who witnessed the incident from an Uber, reported hearing multiple gunshots and seeing a soldier fall to the ground.
Political Fallout and Trump's Response
Former President Donald Trump immediately seized on the incident to criticise the Biden administration's immigration and national security policies. Trump claimed Lakanwal entered the United States during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in September 2021 under Biden's Operation Allies Welcome.
In a strongly worded statement, Trump described the suspect as having been 'flown in by the Biden administration on those infamous flights that everybody was talking about.' He added that 'no country can tolerate such a risk to our very survival' and vowed that 'the animal who shot the troops will pay a very steep price.'
The former president praised 'every member of the United States military who is deployed tonight' and urged families to 'say a prayer for the two great heroes who were horribly shot.'
Investigation and Security Response
Law enforcement sources initially told NBC News that the shooting is being investigated as a possible act of terror. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the federal nature of the investigation, stating: 'Since this is an assault on a federal law enforcement officer, this will be treated at the federal level.'
The FBI is leading the investigation with support from multiple agencies including:
- Department of Homeland Security
- Secret Service
- ATF
- DEA
Authorities have recovered a handgun from the scene believed to be used in the attack. The suspect, who was shot during the exchange, is currently receiving hospital treatment and is reportedly not cooperating with investigators.
Graphic images from the scene showed a soldier lying injured on the pavement with blood pouring from his head as a Secret Service agent provided medical attention. Another trooper was seen on a stretcher inside an ambulance at the scene.
Military Deployment and Immediate Aftermath
Trump had deployed 2,300 National Guard troops to Washington DC since August as part of his promise to crack down on rampant crime in the capital. Following Wednesday's shooting, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced an additional 500 troops would be deployed, calling the attack a 'cowardly, dastardly act, targeting the best of America.'
The security response was immediate and extensive. A helicopter landed on the National Mall to evacuate one of the wounded Guardsmen, while commercial flights into Reagan Washington International Airport were briefly paused due to 'the locations of aircraft involved in responding to today's shooting incident.' Normal operations have since resumed.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser joined FBI Director Patel in condemning the attack, stating: 'We join with the FBI director in ensuring that MPD investigates and the U.S. attorney prosecutes this case to the fullest extent of the law.'
Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer issued a statement saying his 'heart breaks for the victims of this horrific shooting' and that he was 'closely monitoring the situation and praying for the wounded National Guardsmen and their families.'
President Biden was not at the White House during the shooting, having travelled to Mar-a-Lago for the Thanksgiving holiday. He later wrote on Truth Social: 'God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement. These are truly Great People.'
The incident has reignited debates about national security and immigration policies, particularly regarding evacuees from Afghanistan. Law enforcement sources told The New York Post that Lakanwal allegedly came to the United States during the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, which sought to resettle vulnerable Afghans, including those who assisted the US during the war.
It is understood that Lakanwal had been residing in Bellingham, Washington, before the attack. The investigation continues as the two soldiers remain in critical condition at a local hospital.
