Chaos erupted in the heart of Washington, D.C., on Tuesday afternoon when two members of the National Guard were gunned down just blocks from the White House — in what officials are calling a “targeted ambush-style attack.” Within hours, the shooter was identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who entered the U.S. under the 2021 evacuation program following America’s withdrawal from Kabul.
The shocking daylight shooting unfolded near 17th and I Street NW, steps away from the Farragut West Metro station — one of the most heavily guarded zones in the country. Eyewitnesses described scenes of terror as gunfire rang out, sending pedestrians diving for cover and shattering the uneasy calm of an ordinary weekday afternoon. “It was like a war zone,” one witness told NBC News. “You could hear the echo of bullets bouncing off buildings.”
Both Guardsmen — whose names have not yet been released — were rushed to George Washington University Hospital with critical injuries. Officials confirmed one remains in intensive care following emergency surgery, while the other is reportedly stable. The suspect was shot and wounded by responding officers before being taken into custody at the scene.
“Shots fired near the White House — two National Guard soldiers injured, suspect in custody.” @guardian
Police have not yet disclosed a motive, but ABC News reports that federal agencies — including the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security — are treating the case as a potential act of terrorism pending further investigation. Lakanwal, who came to the United States under the special immigrant visa program, reportedly worked as a contractor in Maryland before disappearing from his listed address several months ago.
“This was not random,” D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith told reporters at a tense evening press briefing. “The suspect appears to have deliberately targeted military personnel.” She added that the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force had been mobilized within minutes of the attack.
President Trump was briefed immediately, calling the shooting an “act of evil” and vowing “swift justice.” In a late-night post on Truth Social, he wrote, “Our soldiers deserve safety on our own soil. We will not rest until every fact is known — and every failure corrected.”
“Trump calls National Guard shooting ‘act of evil’ — vows full review of refugee vetting process.” @reuters
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the attack as “deeply personal” for the administration and confirmed that additional National Guard units have been deployed around key landmarks across D.C. “We are treating this as both a law-enforcement investigation and a national-security matter,” she said. “The President has ordered an immediate review of entry and screening procedures connected to post-2021 Afghan relocations.”
Political fallout has been swift. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have demanded answers about how an individual flagged in a 2022 background audit — reportedly for “incomplete documentation” — was allowed to remain in the country. “It’s a failure of process and accountability,” one senior Republican aide told Politico. “You can’t preach security at the border and then miss something this glaring in the capital.”
Meanwhile, immigration advocates have urged caution, warning against conflating one individual’s actions with entire refugee populations. “Thousands of Afghans risked their lives to help U.S. troops,” said ACLU spokesperson Maria Alvarez. “Painting them all as threats because of one horrific act will only sow more fear.”
“Afghan suspect in D.C. National Guard shooting identified — raises questions about refugee vetting.” @people
According to CBS News, investigators are analyzing Lakanwal’s electronic devices and social-media accounts for signs of extremist affiliation. Early reports suggest no clear ties to organized groups, though officials caution that digital forensics could take days. “At this stage, we’re not ruling anything out,” an FBI source said. “We’re treating every lead seriously.”
Security in the capital remains tight as armored vehicles patrol Pennsylvania Avenue and snipers watch over rooftops near Lafayette Square. Tourists were evacuated from nearby areas for several hours, with the Secret Service temporarily locking down entrances to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
“It was terrifying,” said D.C. resident Melissa Grant, who was walking home from work when gunfire broke out. “You never expect something like that to happen outside the White House. We hid behind a delivery truck until it stopped.”
Experts warn that the psychological impact of the attack will linger long after the crime scene is cleared. “When a soldier can’t walk safely near the seat of government, it shakes public confidence,” said political analyst Evan Ross to MSNBC. “It becomes more than a security issue — it’s symbolic of vulnerability at the very center of power.”
“‘This wasn’t just a shooting — it was a statement,’ analyst says of D.C. National Guard ambush.” @guardianworld
As night fell over the capital, candles and flags appeared outside the hospital treating the wounded soldiers. Dozens of D.C. residents gathered silently, holding handmade signs that read: “Protect Those Who Protect Us.” For one city still haunted by the memory of January 6, the sound of gunfire so close to the White House felt like a painful echo of instability returning to its doorstep.
Authorities are expected to release further updates once the suspect regains consciousness. For now, investigators are piecing together the fragments of a tragedy that has once again tested America’s sense of safety in its own capital.