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Two National Guard soldiers were critically injured on Wednesday after they were shot in what authorities called a targeted attack in downtown Washington, just blocks from the White House. Police said the attacker approached the soldiers during their afternoon patrol and opened fire before being shot and arrested. Officials confirmed the suspect, identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was taken into custody and was also being treated for gunshot wounds.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Lakanwal is an Afghan national who arrived in the United States in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, a program created to help resettle Afghans who had supported the U.S. mission in Afghanistan and feared retaliation after the Taliban takeover. Although the agency shared limited details about his immigration history, a former government official said Lakanwal applied for asylum in late 2024 and was approved in April this year. Authorities said he had no known criminal record, and investigators were still trying to determine his motive.
The attack happened around 2:15 p.m. near the busy intersection of 17th and I streets, an area filled with offices, restaurants, and metro stations. Witnesses said the sound of gunfire sent people running in different directions as confusion spread across the park and surrounding sidewalks. When the scene calmed, bystanders saw soldiers and first responders rushing to help the wounded service members while other troops detained the suspect.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser described the incident as a “targeted shooting,” while the FBI confirmed the suspect appeared to be acting alone. The two injured soldiers, both from the West Virginia National Guard, were taken to nearby hospitals where they remained in critical condition.
In a prerecorded video statement from Florida, President Donald Trump condemned the attack as “an act of evil, an act of hatred and an act of terror.” He said his administration would review the backgrounds of all Afghan nationals who entered the country under programs approved during the Biden presidency. Later that night, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced an immediate pause on processing immigration applications connected to Afghan nationals while security and vetting procedures undergo review.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Trump also ordered an additional 500 National Guard soldiers to be deployed to Washington following the shooting. These troops will join the roughly 2,200 Guard members already stationed in the city as part of Trump’s ongoing law-and-order efforts, which have drawn criticism from local leaders and civil rights groups.
Vice President JD Vance echoed support for the administration’s immigration stance, saying the shooting validated their push for stricter enforcement and deportation policies. Meanwhile, critics argued that the administration’s approach sweeps up many people who have no criminal background and are legally permitted to be in the country.
National Guard soldiers have been stationed in the capital since August, a deployment that has sparked political debate. The troops in Washington include members from several states, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, West Virginia, Georgia, and Alabama. While Trump has repeatedly claimed the increased military presence has significantly reduced crime in Washington, official police data does not fully support that statement.
Despite the heavy security in the area, the shooting created a scene of fear and confusion for workers and visitors. People in nearby buildings described hearing several loud bangs and seeing crowds scatter from the park. Many said they were shocked that such violence unfolded so close to the White House and in an area usually filled with office workers on their lunch break.
Authorities said the investigation was still in its early stages, and they urged the public to avoid speculation while officials piece together the shooter’s actions and possible intentions.