Suspect in DC shooting believed to be Afghan national who entered US in 2021

The man accused of shooting two National Guard members just blocks from the White House is believed to be an Afghan national, law enforcement officials said, warning that parts of his identity are still being verified. The shooting happened on Wednesday afternoon near the Farragut Metro Station and left both Guardsmen in critical condition.CBS News reported that multiple law enforcement sources have identified the suspect as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021. He was also shot in the exchange of gunfire and taken to a local hospital under heavy guard. Investigators said he is believed to have acted alone.According to the New York Post, Lakanwal entered the country under Operation Allies Welcome and resettled in Bellingham, Washington.Law enforcement sources said the FBI is initially treating the shooting as a potential act of terrorism..preferred-source-banner{ margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom:10px;}Jeffery Carroll, an executive assistant chief with the Metropolitan Police Department, said the attack appeared sudden and deliberate. "It appears to be a lone gunman that raised a firearm and ambushed these members of the National Guard," Carroll said, describing how the shooter opened fire before officers and Guard personnel moved in.The suspect was quickly detained by a combined response from National Guard members, the Metropolitan Police Department, the Secret Service and Metro Transit Police, many of whom were already in the area when shots rang out. "At this point, we have no other suspects," Carroll said.Federal agencies are assisting with the identity verification process, while investigators comb through surveillance footage, interview witnesses and track the suspect’s background.West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey initially said in a post on X that both victims were members of his state's National Guard and had died from their injuries. But he soon posted a second statement that cited "conflicting reports" about their condition.The two Guardsmen remain in critical condition at a DC hospital as doctors work to stabilize them. Officials have not released their names, saying families will be notified before further details are made public.- EndsPublished By: Satyam SinghPublished On: Nov 27, 2025Must Watch