Two members of the West Virginia National Guard were critically wounded Wednesday afternoon — and law enforcement has now identified the alleged shooter in the shocking downtown Washington incident. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, stands in custody, wounded during the gunbattle that erupted just blocks from the White House.
As the investigation unfolds, key details about the ambush, the suspect’s background, and broader security implications are coming into focus. This article compiles the latest confirmed facts, what remains unknown, and how federal, state and city authorities are reacting — all for U.S. readers trying to make sense of this major security incident.
Where and When the Attack Happened
The attack occurred on November 26, 2025, around 2:15 p.m. local time, near the intersection of 17th and I Streets NW — close to Farragut West Metro Station, only a few blocks from the White House. At the time, a detachment of West Virginia National Guard troops was on patrol downtown as part of a federal deployment assigned after a “crime-emergency” declaration earlier this year. Wikipedia+2Iowa Public Radio+2
Witnesses described a sudden, ambush-style attack. According to the police briefing, the suspect appeared around a corner, opened fire on the Guardsmen — hitting at least two — then exchanged fire with other Guard members before being subdued. Video from the scene reflects chaos: bystanders fled, and uniformed personnel acted swiftly to contain the threat. Iowa Public Radio+2Wikipedia+2
Soon after, the White House area went under temporary lockdown. Multiple federal and local agencies converged on the site — the Metropolitan Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Secret Service, and National Guard units. Reuters+2Iowa Public Radio+2
Who Is the Suspect?
Authorities have identified the alleged gunman as 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal. Law enforcement confirmed he entered the United States in September 2021. The Guardian+2Wikipedia+2
At the time of the attack, he reportedly carried a handgun. After the shooting, he sustained gunshot wounds and was hospitalized under guard. His injuries are described as serious but not life-threatening. Wikipedia+2The Economic Times+2
Multiple agencies are now combing through his background. Officials say they are examining his immigration and residence records, digital footprint, travel history, and any possible links to extremist networks or overseas organizations. As of now, no conclusive ties or proven motives have emerged. The Guardian+2Hindustan Times+2
Some reports suggest the suspect had connections to Washington State — possibly the city of Bellingham — though those leads remain unconfirmed publicly. KOMO
Federal authorities are treating the shooting as potentially a terrorist act. The FBI and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are coordinating with local law enforcement to investigate deeply. Hindustan Times+2Reuters+2
The Victims: Guard Members Under Critical Care
The two National Guard soldiers shot in the attack are from the West Virginia National Guard. Within hours, confusion arose — initial media reports, drawing on a statement by West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, declared both Guardsmen dead. That claim was retracted within minutes when the governor’s office said it was “receiving conflicting reports” about the victims’ medical status. Wikipedia+2People.com+2
Officially, the pair remain hospitalized in critical condition. Their identities are not being released publicly. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the seriousness of their injuries during a press briefing, noting that investigators are treating the shooting as a high-priority incident. Reuters+2Iowa Public Radio+2
What Officials Are Saying — Reactions and Response
Local Authorities’ Take
At a press conference, Metropolitan Police Assistant Chief Jeffery Carroll described the attack as an apparent ambush by a lone gunman. He said surveillance video and eyewitness accounts suggest the suspect targeted the Guardsmen. The motive remains undetermined. Iowa Public Radio+2Reuters+2
The Mayor of Washington, D.C., Muriel Bowser described it as a “targeted shooting.” She pledged that every legal means will be employed to bring justice, and that the city would support federal partners during ongoing investigations. The Economic Times+2The Guardian+2
Federal Government and Military Response
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced immediately after the shooting that the suspect was taken into custody and wounded, but the Guard units present nearby acted quickly to subdue him before further damage could occur. Reuters+1
At the request of the President, an additional 500 National Guard troops were dispatched to Washington, D.C., joining approximately 2,200 already deployed under a 2025 domestic security operation aimed at supporting local law enforcement. Reuters+2Wikipedia+2
Federal investigators from the FBI and DHS are now leading the criminal investigation. They are reviewing the shooter’s digital and travel records, interviewing potential witnesses, and examining any surveillance footage from nearby buildings and transit areas. Authorities have not ruled out terrorism charges, though publicly they state the probe remains open and active. Hindustan Times+2The Guardian+2
Context: Why National Guard Troops Were in D.C.
The West Virginia Guard members involved belonged to a larger contingent deployed earlier this year by order of the President as part of a broad “crime-emergency” effort targeting cities perceived as high-crime zones. Washington, D.C. has been among the primary deployment zones. Wikipedia+1
That deployment has been controversial. Last week, a federal judge ruled the deployment probably violated laws limiting the use of military forces for domestic policing duties. The court stayed enforcement of that ruling for 21 days to allow an appeal. Wikipedia+1
Despite that legal backdrop, troops remained on patrol in D.C. — including outside sensitive areas near the White House. The attack raises fresh questions about the risks to deployed Guard personnel when placed in front-line security roles in urban environments.
What Is Known — And What Is Still Unclear
Confirmed So Far
- The shooting happened near Farragut West station, a few blocks from the White House, at ~2:15 p.m. local time. Iowa Public Radio+2Wikipedia+2
- Two West Virginia National Guard members were struck and remain in critical condition. Wikipedia+2The Washington Post+2
- The suspect has been identified as Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, age 29, who entered the United States in 2021. The Guardian+2Wikipedia+2
- The suspect is in custody, wounded but hospitalized under guard. Wikipedia+2The Economic Times+2
- Federal and local agencies are investigating; the attack is being treated as a possible terrorist act. Hindustan Times+2Iowa Public Radio+2
- In immediate response, an additional 500 National Guard troops were ordered to D.C. by the federal government. Reuters+1
Still Uncertain
- The motive behind the assault remains unclear. No credible claim of responsibility or confirmed ties to any organization have surfaced. The Guardian+2The Economic Times+2
- The suspect’s background and any prior red flags are under scrutiny; public officials have not confirmed any prior criminal history or links to extremist networks. KOMO+2The Guardian+2
- It is not yet clear whether the two wounded Guardsmen regained consciousness or what their long-term prognosis might be. Their medical condition remains “critical.” The Washington Post+2ABC News+2
- Whether this incident will lead to changes in how Guard deployments are handled — especially in domestic urban security roles — remains an open question.
Broader Implications — Public Safety, Guard Deployments, and National Debate
This shooting sends ripples beyond the injured soldiers and the suspect in custody. It raises broader, urgent questions about:
- The role of military forces — especially National Guard units — in domestic public-safety operations.
- The risks that properly uniformed military personnel may face when deployed for law-enforcement–style duties in densely populated civilian areas.
- The adequacy of intelligence, vetting, and background checks for individuals living in the country under immigration or refugee status, especially when they legally entered the U.S. through major resettlement programs.
- The legal and constitutional debates sparked by using federal military assets in domestic policing roles — an issue that recently drew rebuke in the courts.
Officials on both sides of the aisle have already invoked this shooting in political and public-policy arguments. Some lawmakers argue it underscores the need for stricter screening and tighter oversight on deployments. Others urge caution, warning against rash policy shifts while the investigation is incomplete.
Mayor Bowser and local law enforcement have reassured residents that there is no known ongoing threat at this time. But visible security has spiked across the downtown area, especially near sensitive federal buildings and transit hubs.
What to Watch For in the Coming Days
Investigators say they expect key developments soon. Evidence and records to be examined include:
- Forensic testing on the handgun used in the attack.
- Surveillance footage from nearby buildings, transit stations, and street cameras covering the suspect’s approach and escape route.
- Interviews with witnesses — both civilians and other National Guard members — who may have seen or heard the attacker prior to the shooting.
- Digital forensics: the suspect’s phone records, social-media history, travel logs, and any contacts.
- Guard duty logs and deployment records for the soldiers wounded.
Depending on what emerges, authorities could file terrorism charges and potentially begin federal criminal proceedings. Or, if no broader conspiracy or ideological link materializes, this might end up classified as an isolated, violent crime.
What remains clear is that the safety of National Guard troops deployed domestically is under scrutiny. The debate over such deployment strategies — previously largely academic — just became deeply personal and immediate.
What We Still Don’t Know — and Why Transparency Matters
Despite rapid reporting, there are several unknowns. The suspect has not publicly answered questions. His motivations, history in the U.S., and potential triggers remain hidden behind ongoing investigations.
Transparency in this case matters for multiple reasons: trust in public safety, scrutiny of immigration and resettlement practices, and clarity over when and how military forces should be used on U.S. soil.
Officials have promised more information soon. The community, lawmakers, and ordinary citizens alike will likely press for clarity — especially about whether this event could have been prevented, and what changes might prevent a repeat.
Takeaway – A City on Edge, A Nation Watching
This incident underscores stark reality: even uniformed servicemen on patrol in the heart of the nation’s capital are vulnerable. The rapid exchange of gunfire, the proximity to the White House, and the suspect’s background have made this not just a crime story — but a national security and policy flashpoint.
As investigators dig deeper, the outcome could shape how the U.S. treats future deployments of National Guard or other military forces in domestic law-enforcement roles. It could also influence immigration screening protocols.
Whatever the next chapter brings, one thing is certain: residents, officials, and the military establishment will watch closely.
Let us know what you think — or keep an eye on updates as new information emerges. Stay informed, stay engaged.