Who is Rahmanullah Lakanwal – DC Shooting Suspect Explained

A Sudden Attack in Broad Daylight

On November 26, 2025, within a few blocks of the White House in Washington DC, two members of the West Virginia National Guard were critically injured in what police describe as a targeted ambush. The incident happened near Farragut West Metro Station at about 2:15 p.m. local time. The assailant – later identified as a 29-year-old Afghan national – opened fire on the guardsmen, who were on routine high-visibility patrol.

The first victim, a female guard, was reportedly shot in the chest and head. The gunman then fired at a second guard until a third guard intervened, returning fire and subduing the attacker. Both injured soldiers were rushed to nearby hospitals and are in critical condition.

The Suspect: From Afghanistan to DC — who is Rahmanullah Lakanwal?

Authorities identified the suspect as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national. According to law enforcement, he came to the United States in 2021 during the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan under the resettlement program Operation Allies Welcome. He was later resettled in Bellingham, Wash.

Authorities said that Lakanwal had been a resident of Washington state since his arrival. After the attack, he was shot multiple times — reportedly four — and was taken away in an ambulance. Authorities confirmed that he acted alone, and as of now, no motive has been made public.

Shock and Response: Washington in Turmoil

The attack prompted a swift and serious response from officials. The Metropolitan Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation called the incident an assault on federal law enforcement officers, indicating it will be prosecuted at the federal level.

The Mayor of Washington, Muriel Bowser, described the incident as “targeted shooting.” Meanwhile, the federal government, under the orders of US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, sent 500 more National Guard troops to the capital.

The attack has triggered intense debates over U.S. immigration policy, the vetting of refugees, and national security amid Lakanwal’s arrival through a significant resettlement effort.

What’s Next? Investigation, Security Review, and Heightened Alert

Investigation Underway: The FBI has taken over the case. Initial findings point to no clear motive, other than that of the shooter acting alone. Investigators are analyzing all evidence to determine whether the attack had ideological or terrorist motivations.

Immigration & Asylum Scrutiny — The fact that the suspect came in under a resettlement programme has prompted new scrutiny and calls for stricter vetting of asylum seekers and refugees.

Heightened Security in DC: Security at all key government installations—including the White House—has been tightened as a response to this attack, and more National Guard forces are being deployed in the capital.

Why This Incident Matters:

Broader Implications More than a violent crime, this shooting has touched the raw nerve of current debates in the United States on security, immigration, and resettlement policy. The fact that the suspect was part of a large-scale refugee resettlement programme has fuelled new fears among policymakers about possible security gaps. Meanwhile, deployment of additional National Guard troops and heightened security may suggest a changing stance on the part of the United States in its governance of civil-military presence inside its own capital.

As this investigation continues, the case might influence future immigration laws, asylum protocols, and national security policies. The world — and especially governments engaged in refugee resettlement — will be watching closely.