A man who served in the Afghan Army for a decade before being evacuated to America during the chaotic 2021 military withdrawal has been identified as the suspect in a shooting that left two National Guard soldiers in critical condition just blocks from the White House.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, was named Wednesday as the alleged gunman in custody following the attack that occurred near Farragut West Metro station in downtown Washington, D.C.
The shooting happened shortly before 2:15 p.m. as National Guard troops patrolled the area.
The suspect appeared to target the soldiers specifically, according to law enforcement sources, firing first at one guardsman who was standing mere feet away before shooting at another who attempted to take cover behind a bus stop shelter.
Lakanwal entered the United States on a temporary visa issued during the Biden administration in September 2021 as part of Operation Allies Welcome.
The operation was designed to resettle vulnerable Afghans, including those who had assisted U.S. forces during the war. Lakanwal was settled in Bellingham, Washington, after his arrival.
A close relative of the suspect told NBC that Lakanwal had worked alongside U.S. Special Forces during his 10 years of service in the Afghan Army.
The relative said Lakanwal has a wife and five sons, and was even injured in Afghanistan while supporting American soldiers.
CNN reported that the suspect allegedly applied for asylum status in 2024, and that request was granted in April 2025. However, President Donald Trump directed criticism solely at the previous administration during remarks Wednesday night.
“The suspect in custody is a foreigner who entered our country from Afghanistan, a hellhole on earth,” Trump said.
“He was flown in by the Biden administration in September 2021, on those infamous flights that everybody was talking about. Nobody knew who was coming in.”
Trump described the shooting as “a heinous assault” and “an act of evil, an act of hatred and an act of terror.”
He stated that the attack was “a crime against our entire nation” and “a crime against humanity.”
The president called for authorities to “re-examine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan under Biden” and to “take all necessary measures to ensure the removal of any alien from any country who does not belong here or add benefit to our country.”
Following the incident, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services immediately suspended processing of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals pending further review of security and vetting protocols.
The department stated that “the protection and safety of our homeland and of the American people remains our singular focus and mission.”
Graphic images from the scene showed a soldier lying injured on the pavement with blood pouring from his head as a Secret Service agent provided medical attention.
One wounded guardsman was evacuated by helicopter that landed on the National Mall.
Police recovered a handgun from the scene which they believe was used in the attack.
The suspect was shot during the incident and is being treated in a hospital, where law enforcement sources say he is not cooperating with investigators.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that two soldiers were receiving treatment at a local hospital and called the shooting a “heinous act.”
He announced the FBI would lead the investigation as an assault on federal law enforcement officers, working with the Department of Homeland Security, Secret Service, ATF and DEA.
