Two West Virginia National Guard soldiers remain in critical condition after a suspected ambush-style shooting just blocks from the White House, an attack authorities say was carried out by a 29-year-old Afghan man who traveled from Washington state to the nation’s capital. The suspect, identified by officials as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was also shot and taken into custody, and the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is now leading an investigation into whether the attack was motivated by extremism or other factors.
How the attack unfolded
The shooting happened Wednesday near the Farragut West Metro station in downtown Washington, D.C., roughly two blocks northwest of the White House, where National Guard troops have been deployed on “high-visibility patrols” as part of President Donald Trump’s ongoing crime emergency order for the city. Investigators say security footage shows the gunman coming around a corner, raising a handgun, and opening fire at one Guardsman from only a few feet away before shooting at a second soldier who tried to take cover behind a bus shelter.
Witnesses reported hearing a rapid burst of gunfire and then seeing troops and bystanders rush to provide CPR to those on the ground as police and ambulances flooded the area. Other Guard members nearby moved toward the shots and returned fire, ultimately wounding and subduing the suspect until law enforcement arrived and took him away on a stretcher.
Suspect’s background and cross-country trip
Officials say Lakanwal is an Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, the program that resettled Afghans who worked with U.S. and allied forces after the fall of Kabul. He had been living in Bellingham, Washington, and reportedly overstayed temporary status before applying for asylum in 2024; that asylum request was granted earlier this year under the Trump administration.
Law enforcement sources told multiple outlets that Lakanwal drove across the country from Washington state to Washington, D.C., in the days leading up to the attack, suggesting a level of planning that has heightened concern among investigators. Officials say he has not been cooperating with questioning, and they are now digging into his digital footprint, travel history, and any possible ties to extremist networks or other individuals.
Motive and investigation
Authorities have not publicly identified a clear motive, but D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and senior police officials have described the incident as a “targeted shooting” and an “ambush” aimed specifically at the National Guard members. Investigators recovered a handgun believed to have been used in the attack and are examining how and where it was obtained, noting that noncitizens without permanent residency are generally barred from buying firearms under U.S. law.
The FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and local police are treating the case as a potential act of terrorism while emphasizing that there is no evidence of additional suspects or an ongoing threat to the public. Officials say they are also reviewing whether any warning signs were missed, including past contacts with law enforcement or intelligence agencies stemming from Lakanwal’s time working alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan.
Response from officials and political fallout
President Trump condemned the shooting as a “horrendous act of violence” and vowed that the gunman would face a “very steep price,” while ordering an immediate review of Afghan evacuees admitted under Operation Allies Welcome. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the administration has directed an additional 500 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., bringing the total deployment in the city to roughly 2,875 personnel.
The attack has already reignited political debate over immigration, refugee resettlement, and the vetting of Afghans who came to the U.S. after the 2021 withdrawal, with critics arguing that the case shows gaps in screening and supporters warning against stigmatizing an entire group over one man’s alleged actions. National Guard Bureau chief Gen. Steven Nordhaus called the shooting a “senseless act of violence” and urged the public to keep the wounded soldiers and their families in their thoughts as they fight for their lives in a Washington-area hospital.