DC National Guard shooting suspect identified as Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal who came to US during botched 2021 withdrawal
Two National Guard soldiers were shot in the head just yards from the White House during a possible terror attack by a lone gunman identified as an Afghan national.Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, has been named as the alleged gunman in custody over the horror shoot-out at Farragut West metro station in the center of Washington, DC, which has left two soldiers in a critical condition.Law enforcement sources initially told NBC News the gunman has been identified as an Afghan national and the shooting is being investigated as a possible act of terror.He allegedly came to the United States during the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 under Joe Biden's Operation Allies Welcome, sources told The New York Post.The operation sought to resettle vulnerable Afghans, including those who assisted the US during the war. It is understood Lakanwal was residing in Bellingham, Washington.Biden long defended the catastrophic withdrawal, which cost 13 Americans their lives and weakened the U.S.-backed Afghan government against the Taliban, ultimately allowing the terror group to seize control again.Donald Trump vowed that 'the animal' who shot the troops 'will pay a very steep price.'The suspect was shot during the shoot-out and is being treated in hospital, authorities said. A U.S. Capitol Park Police helicopter is seen on the National Mall evacuating a National Guard shooting victim A stricken soldier in the back of an ambulance after being shot near the White House FBI Director Kash Patel speaks during a press conference after two National Guard members were shot near the White House FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that two soldiers are being treated at a local hospital after West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey earlier sparked confusion by announcing the soldiers were dead before walking back his statement.Graphic images from the scene showed a soldier lying injured on the pavement with blood pouring from his head as a Secret Service agent gave him medical attention. An unidentified trooper was seen on a stretcher inside an ambulance receiving medical attention at the scene of the shooting. The FBI, ATF and Secret Service swarmed on the scene as a helicopter landed on the National Mall to evacuate one of the wounded National Guardsmen. Trump has deployed 2,300 National Guard troops into DC since August as part of his promise to crack down on rampant crime in the nation's capital.The president ordered an additional 500 troops to deploy following the shooting on Wednesday, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said, calling it a 'cowardly, dastardly act, targeting the best of America.' After the shooting, the president wrote on Truth Social: 'God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement. 'These are truly Great People. I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!' Law enforcement sources told CNN that the suspected shooter, who has not been publicly identified, is not cooperating with cops.The suspect appeared to target the soldiers, firing first at one of the guardsmen who was mere feet away, according to the sources.The suspect then allegedly fired at the other guardsman who tried to get behind a bus stop shelter.The president was not at the White House at the time of the shooting because he flew to Mar-a-Lago yesterday for the Thanksgiving holiday. FBI Director Kash Patel called the shooting a 'heinous act' as he spoke to reporters at the scene. Members of law enforcement, including the U.S. Marshals, respond to a shooting near the White House A member of law enforcement with a rifle at the scene near the White House Members of law enforcement, including the U.S. Marshals Law enforcement officers stand close to the scene where two West Virginia National Guard members were shot Law enforcement officials stand close to the scene where two West Virginia National Guard members were shot'Since this is an assault on a federal law enforcement officer, this will be treated at the federal level as an assault on a federal law enforcement officer,' Patel said.'The FBI will lead out on that mission with our interagency partners to include the Department of Homeland Security, Secret Service, ATF, DEA, and we're thankful for the mayor's assistance in this matter.'He was joined by DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said that she had briefed Attorney General Pam Bondi, who was speaking to Trump when she called, as well as US attorney for DC Jeanine Pirro.'I’m the mayor of Washington, D.C., and I too, want to send my thoughts and prayers to the families of the Guardsmen and to the Guardsmen who are in critical condition in a local hospital,' the Democrat said.'We join with the FBI director in ensuring that MPD investigates [and] the U.S. attorney prosecutes this case to the fullest extent of the law.' Journalist Mari Otsu said that he was riding a cab near the metro station when he heard multiple gunshots and saw a soldier fall to the ground.'National Guard shot near the White House at a little before 2.15[pm]. I was in an Uber to work, with my cameraman, and heard multiple shots fired as we passed Farragut West,' journalist Mari Otsu wrote on X. 'A member of the National Guard fell while others rushed onto the scene. Area still on lockdown and Secret Service being deployed.' A police helicopter circles above the secured area after a shooting in downtown Washington, DC National Guard troops on the scene as US Marshals arrive A Secret Service member stands guard at the crime scene A National Guard soldier helps secure a perimeter in downtown DC near the White HouseOther pictures have emerged showing National Guard troops securing a perimeter in downtown DC, where the soldiers were shot.The identity of the suspect has not been released to the public. Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer issued a statement praying for the National Guard soldiers.'My heart breaks for the victims of this horrific shooting in Washington DC near the White House. 'I am closely monitoring the situation and am praying for the wounded National Guardsmen and their families. I thank all the first responders for their quick action to capture the suspect.'Commercial flights into Reagan Washington International Airport were briefly paused after the attack. The Federal Aviation Administration said this was due to 'the locations of aircraft involved in responding to today's shooting incident.'Normal operations have since resumed.
