National Guard Ambush Suspect Identified: All About Rahmanullah Lakanwal And The Attack Near The White House | World News
The suspect in the shooting that occurred near the White House on Wednesday and seriously injured two members of the West Virginia National Guard was identified as Afghan citizen Rahmanullah Lakanwal. The incident was quickly called an “act of terrorism” by US President Donald Trump.
Two members of the National Guard were in Washington, D.C., and were shot this afternoon in an area near a subway station, two blocks northwest of the White House. The cause of the conflict is currently unknown.
Details about the Suspect and the Attack
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Executive Assistant to D.C. Police Chief Jeffrey Carroll said investigators are reviewing video evidence that shows the gunman suddenly “came around the corner” and immediately opened fire on the troops.
Arrest The 29-year-old suspect was subdued and stopped by other nearby troops after being shot during the conflict.
Injuries: Lakanwal’s gunshot wounds are not believed to be life-threatening, The Associated Press reported, citing unnamed law enforcement officials.
Entry into the United States through Operation Allied Welcome
The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is an Afghan national who entered the United States through Operation Allied Welcome, the Joe Biden administration program launched in 2021 to evacuate and resettle tens of thousands of Afghans following the withdrawal of U.S. forces from the country.
Background: The Operation Allied Welcome program brought approximately 76,000 people to the United States, many of whom worked as translators and interpreters alongside U.S. military and diplomatic personnel.
Military service: A relative close to Lakanwal said the suspect served in the Afghan army for a decade, including part of that time at a base in Kandahar, where he worked with U.S. Special Forces units before coming to the U.S. in September 2021.
Political Influences on the Review Process
The incident sparked immediate political controversy, with Republicans repeating their criticism of the vetting process used for resettled Afghans under the Biden administration. Trump’s Reaction: Speaking at the White House, President Donald Trump said that the suspect came from Afghanistan, which the Biden administration described as the “hell hole on earth”, through his “infamous flights”. Program Controversy: The Operation Allied Welcome program has faced past scrutiny from Republicans and government watchdogs over perceived delays in the vetting process and the speed of its adoption. Supporters claim it provides a lifeline to people at risk of Taliban retaliation. Additionally, since the suspect previously lived in Washington state, authorities are trying to piece together Lakanwal’s entire history to assess the motive for the attack.
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