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Two West Virginia National Guard members deployed to Washington, D.C., were shot in a targeted ambush just a few blocks from the White House on Wednesday afternoon.
Local officials described the shooting as a deliberate and shocking act of violence.
Both service members were rushed to the hospital in critical condition, according to FBI Director Kash Patel and Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser.
The attack occurred one day before Thanksgiving and comes amid ongoing national debate about the Trump administration’s deployment of National Guard troops to major cities to address what officials say is an escalating crime crisis.
Suspect Identified As Afghan National Who Entered U.S. In 2021
Authorities confirmed that the 29-year-old suspect, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was also shot during the incident but sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
According to officials, Lakanwal arrived in the U.S. in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, a Biden administration program that evacuated about 76,000 Afghans following the U.S. withdrawal.
The program has been the subject of scrutiny from Republicans, former President Trump, and government watchdogs over concerns about vetting procedures. Supporters argue the effort saved lives of Afghans at risk of Taliban retaliation.
Lakanwal had been living in Washington state, where he settled with his wife and five children, according to his former landlord.
Trump Calls For Reassessment Of Afghan Refugees
In a video message released Wednesday night, President Donald Trump condemned the shooting and demanded a “reinvestigation of all Afghan refugees” admitted under the Biden administration.
Trump said, “If they can’t love our country, we don’t want them,” calling the attack “a crime against our entire nation.”
Investigators Say Shooting Was Targeted
D.C. police officials said video evidence shows the gunman rounded a corner and immediately opened fire on the troops.
“This was a targeted shooting,” Mayor Bowser said.
At least one National Guard member returned fire, according to a law enforcement official.
The shooting unfolded near a metro station about two blocks northwest of the White House. Troops in the vicinity responded quickly, subduing the gunman after he was struck.
Investigators said they have no evidence of additional suspects.
Confusion Over Guard Members’ Condition
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey initially announced the troops had died but later retracted his statement, noting “conflicting reports” about their condition.
Reinforcements Ordered To The Capital
The Trump administration ordered 500 more National Guard members to Washington following the attack.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the deployment came at the president’s direction.
According to government updates, nearly 2,200 National Guard troops are already operating as part of the joint task force in the city.
Witnesses Describe The Chaos
Social media footage showed emergency responders performing CPR on one soldier while treating another on a shattered sidewalk.
Witnesses described panic and confusion:
- Stacy Walters said she heard gunshots and saw people running before authorities flooded the scene.
- Emma McDonald, leaving a metro station, described seeking shelter in a nearby café. She later saw a soldier being wheeled away on a stretcher with severe head injuries.
The area was immediately surrounded with police tape as helicopters, Secret Service agents, ATF officers, and National Guard personnel secured the scene.
Military Leaders Respond
Vice President JD Vance, speaking at Fort Campbell, called the shooting a “somber reminder” of the sacrifice made by America’s service members.
National Guard Bureau Chief Gen. Steven Nordhaus canceled his Thanksgiving visit to troops in Guantanamo Bay to travel to Washington and support guard members.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said he visited the wounded troops and that his “heart breaks for them.”
The shooting of two National Guard members near the White House has intensified national conversations around military deployments, refugee vetting, and public safety.
With the suspect identified and the investigation ongoing, federal and local leaders have moved quickly to respond, support the injured troops, and reassure the public.
The incident marks one of the most serious targeted attacks on deployed Guard members in recent years.