Suspect in US national guard shooting identified as Afghan man | Washington DC
Law enforcement has identified a man from Afghanistan as the suspected gunman in the shooting of two National Guard members near the White House on Wednesday, as Donald Trump called the incident an “act of terrorism” and renewed his attacks on immigrants and refugees.
According to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal is an Afghan citizen who entered the United States under the Biden-era policy that allows entry of Afghans after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
The suspect, who is now in custody, was also shot and has injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening, according to a law enforcement official who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.
Lakanwal was paroled to the United States through the Operation Allied Welcome program, which the Biden administration launched to resettle people during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan after two decades of war. The New York Times reported. immigration authorities Lakanwal was granted asylum Earlier this year, according to CNN.
Speaking in Palm Beach, Florida, on Wednesday evening, Trump called the attack “an act of terrorism.”
“I can say tonight that the Department of Homeland Security is confident, based on the best information available, that the suspect in custody is an alien who entered our country from Afghanistan,” the President said. a short video address.
“Just as we are filled with anguish and grief for those who were shot, we are also filled with righteous anger and fierce determination,” Trump added. “As President of the United States, I am determined to ensure that the animal that committed this cruelty pays the highest price possible.”
Trump also took the opportunity to slam his predecessor Joe Biden’s immigration policies, citing the attack as the result of lax screening of immigrants from Afghanistan, which he described as “the hellhole on earth.”
“He was flown by the Biden administration in September 2021 on those infamous flights that everyone is talking about,” Trump said. The president’s statement did not acknowledge the investigative efforts of the US military, intelligence and immigration agents.
Trump concluded his remarks by arguing that the attack justified a re-evaluation of refugee and asylum seeker status granted under previous administrations.
“We must now re-examine every foreigner entering our country from Afghanistan under the Biden administration and take all necessary measures to ensure that any foreigner from any country who does not belong here is removed or benefits our country,” the president said. he said. “If they can’t love our country, we don’t want them.”
The attack took place near the Farragut West subway station in the capital. Two national guard members shot with a gun and their condition was critical.
Authorities did not immediately release their names. The shooting victims were one female, one male, and both from West Virginia. According to NBC News.
Jeffrey Carroll, an official with the Washington Metropolitan Police Department, said the suspect “came around the corner” and “immediately began firing a firearm at two National Guard members.” he said at the press conference.
Bystanders captured and distributed videos of police and national guard members subduing the suspect and footage of a police officer performing CPR on the shooting victim.
National Guard troops have been deployed across Washington since August, when the Trump administration declared a “crime emergency” and ordered them to support federal and local law enforcement.
An estimated 2,375 national guard troops are currently operating in Washington. In his speech, Trump said he had instructed the renamed “war department” to send additional military aid. 500 guard members To Washington after the conflict.
U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb recently ruled that Trump’s deployment of the National Guard was likely illegal and must be stoppedbut the order won’t go into effect until next month. The Trump administration is appealing the decision.
