Who is Rahmanullah Lakanwal? Gunman Who Shot Two National Guard Troops Near the White House

A shocking shooting incident near the White House in Washington, DC. Two members of the West Virginia National Guard were critically injured after being shot by a man identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan migrant who arrived in the United States in 2021.

Suspect’s Background

Rahmanullah Lakanwal moved to the U.S. during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan under Operation Allies Welcome. He was resettled in Bellingham, Washington, where he had been living since his arrival.

According to U.S. media reports, he acted alone in the attack and had no known criminal history before this incident.

How the Shooting Happened

The shooting happened around 2:15 p.m. near the Farragut West Metro Station in Northwest DC. Witnesses said the attacker waited at a corner before suddenly opening fire on the guard members.

He reportedly shot a female National Guard soldier in the chest and then the head. He then fired multiple times at a second soldier. A third guard quickly intervened and managed to subdue the attacker.

Police shot Lakanwal four times during the confrontation. He was taken from the scene in an ambulance, almost naked, as officers tried to assess his injuries. Both wounded soldiers were rushed to a nearby hospital and remain in critical condition.

Investigation and Terrorism Concerns

Authorities say the motive is still unknown.
The FBI is now investigating the shooting as a possible act of terrorism.

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser called the attack a “targeted shooting.”

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the deployment of an additional 500 troops to Washington after the incident. FBI Director Kash Patel said the case will be taken up at the federal level because it was an “assault on federal law enforcement officers.”

Current Security Situation

At present, nearly 2,400 National Guard troops are stationed in Washington. This includes:

• 958 members from the DC National Guard

• About 1,300 soldiers from eight other U.S. states

This heavy deployment is part of President Trump’s public-safety plan, which has been extended through summer 2026. Supporters say this presence has helped reduce crime in sensitive areas. Critics argue it blurs the line between law enforcement and military use inside cities.