Key Takeaways
- An Afghan national named Rahmanullah Lakanwal has been identified as the suspected shooter in the ambush attack that wounded two National Guard troops near the White House.
- The suspect entered the US in 2021 under a Biden-era program for Afghan nationals called Operation Allies Welcome.
- Lakanwal is currently hospitalized after being shot by another Guard member and taken into custody.
- The suspect is not cooperating with authorities and his current immigration status is unclear.
- The two wounded Guard members are in critical condition and the investigation is ongoing.
Introduction to the Incident
An Afghan national named Rahmanullah Lakanwal has been identified as the suspected shooter in the ambush attack that wounded two National Guard troops just blocks away from the White House on Wednesday, according to the Department of Homeland Security. The suspect was shot by another Guard member and taken into custody, officials said. He is currently hospitalized. The incident has raised concerns about national security and the immigration status of the suspect. As the investigation continues, more information is being revealed about the suspect and the circumstances surrounding the attack.
The Suspect’s Background
Lakanwal, 29, entered the United States in 2021, multiple law enforcement sources told CBS News on Wednesday. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said on X that the suspect was paroled into the U.S. on Sept. 8, 2021, under a Biden-era program for Afghan nationals called Operation Allies Welcome. This program was established to provide a safe haven for Afghan nationals who worked alongside the US military during its 20-year war in Afghanistan. Thousands of Afghan nationals entered the United States in 2021, as the US military withdrew from Afghanistan and the Taliban retook control of the country. Many were issued special immigrant visas, while others were given a temporary humanitarian status known as parole.
Reaction from Government Officials
President Trump described Lakanwal as "a foreigner who entered our country from Afghanistan, a hellhole on Earth," in a video message late Wednesday. He said the suspect’s status was extended "under legislation signed by President Biden." The comments have sparked a debate about immigration policies and national security. Meanwhile, the Biden administration has not commented on the incident, but it is likely that the incident will be reviewed and investigated thoroughly. The incident has also raised questions about the effectiveness of the Operation Allies Welcome program and the vetting process for Afghan nationals entering the US.
The Investigation
The suspect was subdued at the scene of the shooting and taken into custody by National Guard members and law enforcement officers, Jeff Carroll, executive assistant chief of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, told reporters earlier Wednesday. At this time, Lakanwal is not cooperating with authorities, law enforcement sources said. Police say the suspect was a "lone gunman" who "ambushed" National Guard members as they patrolled near a mass transit station in downtown D.C. The suspect had four rounds in his handgun initially, multiple sources familiar with the investigation told CBS News. The first victim — a female Guard member — was struck immediately and collapsed where she stood. She sustained at least two gunshot wounds during the ambush, the sources said.
The Attack and Aftermath
The suspect took the female Guard member’s weapon and used it to continue shooting, striking the second Guard member, according to multiple sources. A third Guard member, who was not injured, ultimately returned fire, ending the attack. The two wounded Guard members are in critical condition, FBI Director Kash Patel said. Both are from the West Virginia National Guard. The Guard members were on "high visibility patrols," Carroll said, part of a monthslong deployment of National Guard troops from D.C. and several states ordered by President Trump. The deployment was intended to provide additional security in the nation’s capital, but it has been met with criticism from some who argue that it is unnecessary and overly militarized.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The incident has raised concerns about national security and the immigration status of the suspect. As the investigation continues, more information is being revealed about Lakanwal and the circumstances surrounding the attack. The incident is likely to spark a debate about immigration policies and national security, and it may lead to changes in the way that Afghan nationals are vetted and processed for entry into the US. The incident is a reminder of the complexities and challenges of providing security in the nation’s capital, and it highlights the need for effective and efficient law enforcement and intelligence agencies. As the investigation continues, it is essential to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to prevent similar incidents in the future and to protect the safety and security of the American people.