The CIA has confirmed that the suspect in Wednesday's shooting of two national guard members in Washington DC worked with CIA-backed military units during the US war in Afghanistan. The alleged gunman, identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, entered the US in September 2021 under the Operation Allies Welcome programme, which granted visas to Afghans who had worked for the US government. He was granted asylum in April this year.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed Lakanwal's ties to the agency, noting that he served as a member of a partner force in Kandahar. The Washington Post reported that the suspect was involved with counterterrorism squads known as 'zero units', which conducted combat missions to capture or kill suspected terrorists. Ratcliffe stated that the Biden administration justified bringing Lakanwal to the US due to his prior work with the US government, including the CIA.
The victims have been named as Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24, both members of the West Virginia National Guard. Beckstrom died from her injuries on Thursday evening, while Wolfe remains in critical condition. Both had been sworn into service less than 24 hours before the attack. The suspect allegedly used a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver, shooting Beckstrom twice before turning on Wolfe.
US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said Lakanwal drove from his home in Bellingham, Washington, to carry out a 'brazen and targeted' assault. He faces charges of assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. The FBI is investigating the shooting as an act of terrorism. President Donald Trump has ordered an additional 500 national guard troops to Washington DC and called for a review of asylum applications from Afghanistan.
