Two National Guard Soldiers Critically Wounded in Apparent Targeted Shooting Near White House; Suspect in Custody
WASHINGTON, Nov 26 (Reuters) — Two members of the National Guard were shot and left in critical condition on Wednesday during a violent ambush in the heart of downtown Washington, only a short walk from the White House. Authorities described the attack as deliberate, coordinated, and aimed specifically at uniformed personnel. The alleged gunman, who suffered gunshot wounds during the confrontation, was taken into custody at the scene.
According to two officials from the Trump administration who requested anonymity, investigators have identified the suspect as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national residing in Washington State. One of the officials said the case is being investigated as a potential act of terrorism, though no further details on motive have yet been disclosed.
Lakanwal arrived in the United States in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, a resettlement initiative created during the Biden administration to help Afghans who assisted the United States during the two-decade conflict in Afghanistan and faced the threat of Taliban retaliation after the American troop withdrawal. Records show that he was processed through Washington Dulles International Airport on September 8, 2021.
The officials also reported that Lakanwal filed an asylum application in December 2024, which was approved in April of the following year — roughly three months after President Donald Trump returned to office. They confirmed that he had no prior criminal record.
Trump Condemns Shooting, Calls for Review of Afghan Resettlement Cases
President Trump, who was at his Florida resort when the attack occurred, released a prerecorded video address Wednesday evening. In the statement, he characterized the shooting as “an act of evil, an act of hatred and an act of terror,” vowing that his administration would undertake a sweeping review of all Afghans who entered the United States during President Joe Biden’s tenure.
The president reiterated his criticism of Operation Allies Welcome, which had resettled tens of thousands of Afghan nationals, many of whom had worked with U.S. forces or international partners. Trump called for renewed scrutiny of immigration vetting procedures and emphasized his intention to reassess the status of those admitted under the program.
Attack Occurred During High-Visibility Patrol Near Farragut Square
The shooting unfolded around 2:15 p.m. ET near the intersection of 17th and I Streets, an area heavily trafficked by office workers, tourists, and federal employees. The location sits just a few blocks west of the White House and borders Farragut Square, a busy public park decorated for the holiday season with wreaths and festive ribbons.
Officials said the two soldiers — both members of the West Virginia National Guard — were conducting a high-visibility patrol when the suspect appeared suddenly from around a corner and opened fire. Metropolitan Police Assistant Chief Jeff Carroll described the incident as a clear ambush during a media briefing Wednesday night.
Carroll explained that after the initial shots were fired, other National Guard units in the area engaged the suspect, leading to an exchange of gunfire. Those troops subdued the shooter shortly thereafter. The two wounded soldiers were transported to local hospitals and remained in critical condition, according to FBI Director Kash Patel.
“This was a targeted attack,” Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said at the news conference, underscoring that investigators did not believe the suspect had accomplices. Authorities indicated that the attacker appeared to have acted alone.
Federal Government Increases National Guard Presence in Capital
In the aftermath of the shooting, President Trump ordered an additional 500 National Guard troops to deploy to Washington, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. These reinforcements will join the roughly 2,200 troops already present in the city as part of the administration’s ongoing crackdown on immigration and crime — a campaign that has drawn intense criticism from Democratic city leaders.
Vice President JD Vance, speaking from Kentucky on Wednesday, used the attack to bolster the administration’s stance on immigration enforcement. Posting on the social media platform X, Vance argued that the shooting demonstrated the need for stricter deportation efforts.
“We must redouble our efforts to deport people with no right to be in our country,” he wrote.
Opponents of the administration’s approach contend that the policies have been excessively punitive and have led to the detention or deportation of individuals who are either lawfully present or have no criminal background. Civil-rights advocates have also accused federal authorities of sweeping immigration raids that have targeted vulnerable communities and sowed uncertainty among lawful residents.
Witnesses Describe Panic as Shots Rang Out
The normally bustling area surrounding Farragut Square descended into chaos as the gunfire erupted. The park, a popular lunchtime destination framed by fast-casual eateries, coffee shops, and two nearby Metro stations, quickly became a scene of confusion as pedestrians ran for cover.
Mike Ryan, a 55-year-old office worker, recounted hearing what sounded like several gunshots as he walked toward a nearby restaurant. “I ran about half a block before I heard another burst,” he said. When he cautiously returned to the area minutes later, he observed two uniformed National Guard soldiers lying motionless on the pavement across the street while bystanders attempted to revive one of them. Meanwhile, other soldiers had pinned a man to the ground.
Another eyewitness, Emma McDonald, described seeing one of the victims rushed away on a stretcher. She said the soldier’s head was covered in blood and that paramedics had attached an automated chest-compression device as they hurried him toward an ambulance.
National Guard Deployment Remains Contentious Issue in Washington
National Guard troops have been stationed across Washington since August, following Trump’s directive to boost security and increase the federal presence in the capital as part of his broader law-and-order platform. The deployment has been controversial, drawing objections from D.C. officials and Democratic lawmakers who argue that the measures are excessive and undermine local authority.
The Guard presence in the capital includes service members not only from Washington, D.C., but from Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, West Virginia, Georgia, and Alabama, who rotate through the city on security assignments.
Trump has repeatedly claimed that the increased deployment has significantly reduced crime in Washington, remarks that stand in contrast with crime statistics released by the Metropolitan Police Department. Critics say the president’s statements misrepresent the data and inflate the impact of the National Guard on public safety trends.
Investigation Continues as Authorities Examine Motive
Federal and local agencies — including the FBI, Metropolitan Police, and federal counterterrorism units — are jointly investigating the attack. Officials said it was too early to determine the suspect’s motive or whether extremist ideology played a role, but they emphasized that the totality of the circumstances prompted the terrorism inquiry.
Authorities are scrutinizing Lakanwal’s movements, communications, and activities leading up to the shooting. Investigators are also reviewing his asylum records, immigration documents, and any personal or digital materials that might shed light on his intentions.
As the investigation unfolds, officials are urging the public to avoid speculation and wait for confirmed information. Still, the incident has already intensified political debates in Washington over immigration, national security, and the presence of federal troops in American cities.
A City on Edge During a Dangerous Moment
The shooting near the White House has not only shaken the public but also deepened ongoing tensions between federal authorities and local leaders over security policies. With two National Guard soldiers fighting for their lives and a terrorism investigation underway, Washington finds itself confronting both the immediate aftermath of violence and the broader political repercussions that follow.
As investigators work to piece together the details of Wednesday’s attack, the incident stands as one of the most serious assaults on National Guard personnel in the capital in recent years — occurring at a time of heightened political friction, aggressive federal enforcement strategies, and a divided national conversation over immigration and public safety.
