Key Takeaways:
- Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, is accused of shooting two National Guard soldiers near the White House, resulting in the death of one soldier and injuring another.
- Lakanwal had served in an elite counterterrorism unit in Afghanistan, operated by the CIA, and was admitted to the US due to his prior work with the US government.
- A volunteer who worked with Lakanwal’s family reported that he had become increasingly isolated and withdrawn, struggling to adapt to life in the US, and had made long, solo drives across the country without telling his family.
- The volunteer saw no signs of radicalization, but rather a deepening personal crisis, complicated by Lakanwal’s poor English-language skills and cultural isolation.
- The US government has launched a review of refugees and migrants from over a dozen countries, including Afghanistan, following the incident.
Introduction to the Incident
The shooting near the White House on November 26, 2025, has raised concerns about the integration of Afghan refugees in the US. Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the accused shooter, had come to the US in 2021 after serving in an elite counterterrorism unit in Afghanistan. According to a volunteer who worked closely with his family, Lakanwal had initially appeared lively and full of hope, but over time, he slipped into isolation and struggled to adapt to life in the US. The volunteer reported that Lakanwal would often take long, solo drives across the country without telling his family, and had become increasingly withdrawn and isolated.
Lakanwal’s Background and Behavior
The volunteer, who spoke to NPR on condition of anonymity, described Lakanwal’s initial enthusiasm and hope when they first met in 2022. However, by 2023, Lakanwal had begun to isolate himself, and his behavior became increasingly erratic. The volunteer shared emails with NPR that raised alarms about Lakanwal’s well-being, describing him as "defeated" by the challenges of finding steady work and adapting to life in the US. Despite these concerns, the volunteer saw no signs of radicalization, but rather a deepening personal crisis, complicated by Lakanwal’s poor English-language skills and cultural isolation.
Government Response and Investigation
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has stated that US officials believe Lakanwal was "radicalized" while living in the US, and that they are investigating his connections in his home community and state. However, the volunteer who worked with Lakanwal’s family disputes this claim, stating that they saw no signs of radicalization. The CIA has confirmed that Lakanwal served in an elite counterterrorism unit in Afghanistan, operated by the CIA, and that he was admitted to the US due to his prior work with the US government. The US government has launched a review of refugees and migrants from over a dozen countries, including Afghanistan, following the incident.
Refugee Resettlement and Support
The incident has highlighted concerns about the support and resources available to Afghan refugees in the US. The volunteer who worked with Lakanwal’s family reported that there were limited resources available to help him adapt to life in the US, and that the family was largely left to fend for themselves. The volunteer described the lack of organized resources for refugees beyond their initial welcome, stating that "families were just in my mind abandoned into the community." Activists working with asylum seekers from Afghanistan have expressed concerns that the incident will lead to a backlash against the Afghan community, and have emphasized the importance of providing adequate support and resources to refugees.
Conclusion and Implications
The shooting near the White House has raised important questions about the integration of Afghan refugees in the US, and the support and resources available to them. While the investigation into Lakanwal’s motives and actions is ongoing, it is clear that he was struggling to adapt to life in the US, and that he had become increasingly isolated and withdrawn. The US government’s response to the incident, including the review of refugees and migrants from over a dozen countries, has raised concerns about the potential for a backlash against the Afghan community. It is essential that the US government provides adequate support and resources to refugees, and that it works to address the root causes of isolation and disaffection that can lead to violent behavior.
