Suspect in National Guard shooting identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, sources report
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, has been named as the suspect accused of shooting two National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday. According to law enforcement sources, Lakanwal, who arrived in the U.S. in 2021, sustained four gunshot wounds during the confrontation and is currently under police custody, receiving medical care. The motive behind the shooting remains unknown at this time.
Reports indicate that Lakanwal arrived in Bellingham, Washington in the company of his wife and five children. It was later revealed that he applied for asylum in 2024 and was granted it earlier this year under the Trump administration. Lakanwal entered the U.S. through Operation Allies Welcome, a program by the Biden administration to evacuate and resettle Afghan nationals after the U.S. withdrawal from the country.
The incident occurred near the Farragut West Metro Station when Lakanwal allegedly fired shots, hitting a female guard in the chest and head before shooting at another guard. A third soldier arrived at the scene and subdued him. Both National Guard soldiers remain in critical condition at a local hospital according to FBI Director Kash Patel. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey initially announced that both soldiers had died in the shooting, but later backtracked due to conflicting reports.
Following the shooting, the DC Police Department confirmed the incident and urged people to avoid the area. The suspect, along with the victims, was transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. While the suspect was shot, their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. President Donald Trump condemned the attack, stating that the perpetrator would “pay a very steep price” for their actions and expressing support for the National Guard and law enforcement personnel involved in responding to the incident.
The White House has not provided any comments on the matter, and the motive behind the shooting remains unclear. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with authorities trying to piece together the events leading up to the violent confrontation near the Farragut West Metro Station. As details continue to emerge, the public remains on edge following this shocking attack on National Guard troops in the nation’s capital.