Federal law enforcement sources have identified the suspected shooter accused of opening fire on two West Virginia National Guard members near the White House as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old illegal Afghan national who entered the United States during the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, according to multiple reports.
Sources told the New York Post that Lakanwal arrived in the U.S. under Operation Allies Welcome, the Biden administration program that resettled tens of thousands of Afghan evacuees after the fall of Kabul.
Authorities say Lakanwal allegedly approached and opened fire on the Guardsmen near the Farragut West Metro Station shortly after 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, in what officials now describe as a targeted attack, before a third National Guard member returned fire and took him down, according to law enforcement sources.
The two Guardsmen were critically wounded and transported to area hospitals. The suspect — who was also shot — was taken into custody and removed from the scene on a stretcher, according to law enforcement sources.
Federal officials have not publicly released a motive. However, sources told the Post the FBI is initially treating the shooting as a potential act of terrorism, pending further investigation.
President Donald Trump: “An act of evil… an act of terror”
In a national address Wednesday evening, President Donald Trump condemned the attack:
“This heinous assault was an act of evil, an act of hatred, and an act of terror.”
“It was a crime against our entire nation. It was a crime against humanity. The hearts of all Americans tonight are with those two members of the West Virginia National Guard and their families.”
“The love of our entire country is pouring out for them, and we are lifting them up in our prayers.”
President Donald Trump ordered 500 additional National Guard troops deployed to Washington, D.C., following the shooting.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said:
“President Trump has asked me, and I will ask the Secretary of the Army… to add 500 additional troops, National Guardsmen to Washington DC.”
“We will never back down. We will secure our capital. We will secure our cities.”
A Pentagon official told the Post that approximately 2,100 National Guard troops are currently assigned to the District, including about 900 from the D.C. National Guard and roughly 1,200 from other states.
DC Mayor: Guard members were “targeted”
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said early findings indicate the shooter deliberately confronted the Guardsmen.
She described the incident as a “targeted shooting” in which the suspect “appeared to target these guardsmen.”
Suspect reportedly overstayed visa
Federal law enforcement sources told media outlets that Lakanwal overstayed the Special Immigrant Visa he received after entering the country under Operation Allies Welcome, meaning he was allegedly in the U.S. illegally at the time of the attack.
According to prior federal reports, the Biden administration admitted roughly 90,000 Afghan nationals under its 2021 emergency resettlement programs. A 2024 inspector general review found that at least 55 evacuees were initially flagged on the terrorist watchlist before additional vetting removed most from consideration. At least nine remained in the database as of July 2024, and eight were living inside the United States.
Lakanwal reportedly lived in Bellingham, Washington, one of the cities that received refugee placements under the program.
Security lockdowns followed the attack
The shooting took place in one of the busiest areas of downtown Washington, near Farragut Square and two blocks from the White House. Within minutes, federal and local agencies — including the FBI, U.S. Park Police, Metropolitan Police Department, Secret Service, and Metro Transit Police — secured the area.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport briefly halted departures as law enforcement helicopters circled overhead during the early response.
Metro Transit Police advised travelers to avoid the Farragut West station during the investigation.
Officials have not released updates on the victims’ conditions. Federal and local investigators continue reviewing the suspect’s background, travel history, immigration status, and potential ties as the investigation expands.
This is a developing story. More updates are expected.