Washington: The suspect in the shooting of two National Guard members near the White House has been identified as **Rahmanullah Lakanwal**, a 29-year-old Afghan national. Authorities report that Lakanwal drove across the continental United States with a deliberate intent to commit the attack, which is now classified as a terrorist act. The incident occurred on the afternoon of **November 27, 2025**, just two blocks from the White House.
Lakanwal entered the United States in 2021 as part of **Operation Allies Welcome**, a program aimed at resettling vulnerable Afghans who aided U.S. forces during the two-decade military presence in Afghanistan. According to **John Ratcliffe**, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Lakanwal served with U.S. government forces, including the CIA, in the southern province of **Kandahar** prior to the final U.S. evacuation in August 2021.
Reports from multiple U.S. media outlets, including **Reuters** and **CNN**, indicate that Lakanwal applied for asylum in December 2024, which was granted in April 2025.
Details of the Attack
**Jeanine Pirro**, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, described the shooting as a premeditated and targeted assault on National Guard troops. “A lone gunman opened fire without provocation, ambush style, armed with a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver,” Pirro stated.
The gunman first shot **Sarah Beckstrom**, 20, and then targeted **Andrew Wolfe**, 24, both members of the **West Virginia National Guard**. Both individuals remain in critical condition as of the latest updates. The attack was swiftly countered by other guards in the vicinity, who subdued Lakanwal after he shot the two guards several times.
Lakanwal now faces three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, which carries a potential maximum sentence of **15 years** in prison. If either victim succumbs to their injuries, the charges could escalate to first-degree murder.
Investigation and Backlash
As the investigation unfolds, **Kash Patel**, Director of the FBI, announced that a broad-based international terrorism investigation is underway, focusing on Lakanwal’s associates both in the U.S. and abroad. Authorities have executed multiple search warrants, including a search of Lakanwal’s residence in **Bellingham**, Washington.
The shocking nature of this attack has led to significant backlash against the Biden administration’s efforts to resettle approximately **190,000** Afghans under Operation Allies Welcome and its successor, **Enduring Welcome**. Pirro criticized the vetting process, calling it “absurd,” and warned that allowing individuals into the country without thorough checks could have dire consequences.
Vice President **JD Vance**, who had expressed concerns regarding the resettlement of unvetted Afghans in 2021, reiterated his stance, stating, “They shouldn’t have been in our country.”
In light of the attack, the **U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services** announced a halt to processing requests from Afghan nationals pending a review of security protocols. Former President **Donald Trump** has called for a review of all Afghan arrivals under the previous administration, emphasizing the need to ensure that individuals who do not contribute positively to the country are removed.
As the investigation continues, the broader implications of this incident on U.S. immigration policy and national security remain to be seen.
