WASHINGTON D.C. — Two National Guard members are in critical condition following what authorities have described as a targeted, ambush-style shooting just blocks from the White House perimeter on Wednesday afternoon. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is actively investigating the brazen daylight attack as a possible act of terrorism.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The suspected gunman, who was wounded during an exchange of fire and taken into custody, has been identified by law enforcement officials as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national.
Details of the Targeted Assault
The incident unfolded around 2:15 p.m. local time near the intersection of 17th and I Streets NW, close to the bustling Farragut West Metro station. According to Metropolitan Police Executive Assistant Chief Jeffery Carroll, the two victims, members of the West Virginia National Guard, were on a routine high-visibility patrol.
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The Attack: Investigators reviewing security footage indicated that the assailant “came around the corner” and immediately opened fire on the uniformed Guardsmen with a handgun.
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Victim Status: Both Guardsmen, identified as Sarah Beckstrom (20) and Andrew Wolfe (24), sustained multiple gunshot wounds and were rushed to a local hospital where they remain in critical condition.
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Neutralization of Threat: Other National Guard members in the immediate vicinity responded swiftly to the gunfire, engaging the suspect and ultimately subduing him after he was shot. The suspect, Mr. Lakanwal, is also hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
Suspect Identity and Background
Rahmanullah Lakanwal’s background has become a central point of the federal investigation and a subject of political controversy.
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Immigration Status: Lakanwal entered the United States in September 2021 as part of Operation Allies Welcome, the U.S. federal program established to resettle Afghans at risk following the U.S. withdrawal. His entry and subsequent asylum status are now under intense scrutiny.
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Ties to U.S. Agencies: The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) confirmed that Lakanwal had previous working ties with U.S. government entities, having served as a member of a CIA-backed partner force in Kandahar during the war in Afghanistan.
Official Response and Escalation of Security
The attack triggered an immediate lockdown of the White House complex and nearby federal buildings.
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Terrorism Investigation: FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that the bureau is treating the case as an assault on federal officers and is investigating it as a potential act of terrorism, indicating that the motive may be linked to foreign or domestic extremism. Authorities are now probing the suspect’s travel across the U.S. from Washington state and the contents of a manifesto-like document reportedly found in his possession.
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Presidential Order: President Donald Trump condemned the shooting as a “heinous assault” and an “act of terror.” In response, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the President has directed the deployment of 500 additional National Guard troops to Washington D.C., augmenting the existing 2,375 personnel already activated in the city.
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Political Fallout: The incident has exacerbated the ongoing national debate over immigration and border security, with the Department of Homeland Security confirming that it has indefinitely halted the processing of all immigration requests for Afghan nationals pending a security review.
U.S. Attorney for Washington D.C., Jeanine Pirro, stated that Lakanwal will be charged with three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Pirro noted that charges could be increased to first-degree murder if the critically injured Guardsmen do not survive.
Next Steps in the Investigation: The FBI-led joint task force will focus on determining Lakanwal’s motive, tracing the purchase and transport of the weapon, and investigating any possible co-conspirators or international links to the targeted ambush.
