A shooting incident near the White House has raised alarms in Washington, as a man suspected of wounding two National Guard soldiers has been identified as an Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who previously served alongside U.S. troops in Afghanistan. The attack occurred Wednesday afternoon, with the gunman reportedly ambushing the soldiers while they were on patrol. Lakanwal was subsequently shot by responding forces and is currently hospitalized.
U.S. security officials, including Kristi Noem, have stated that Lakanwal is among those who were “unvetted” and allowed entry into the United States under Operation Allies Welcome. This program, initiated by President Joe Biden, was designed to provide refuge for vulnerable Afghans, including those who aided American forces as the Taliban regained control of the country.
According to reports, Lakanwal arrived in the United States in September 2021 after serving ten years in the Afghan Army, primarily with U.S. Special Forces. He applied for asylum in 2024, which was granted the following year. This incident has prompted former President Donald Trump to emphasize the need for stringent vetting processes for Afghan nationals entering the U.S., particularly given the circumstances surrounding Lakanwal’s entry during the chaotic evacuations.
In the wake of the shooting, the Citizenship and Immigration Services announced a suspension of all Afghan immigration applications pending further review of security protocols. Trump described the attack as an “act of evil,” attributing the violence to systemic failures in the vetting process.
Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots during the incident, with people in the vicinity fleeing for safety. One eyewitness recounted the scene, describing the chaos as National Guard members rushed towards a metro station with their weapons drawn. Law enforcement quickly flooded the area, establishing a secure perimeter and deploying emergency medical crews.
As discussions unfold regarding the implications of this shooting, the controversy surrounding Trump’s militarization of crime prevention remains prominent. He has deployed National Guard troops to various cities, an action that has faced criticism from local officials and has led to legal challenges.
In response to the shooting, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the deployment of an additional 500 troops to Washington, increasing the total to 2,500, amidst heightened security concerns.
Organizations involved in resettling Afghan nationals, like AfghanEvac, have defended the integrity of security measures in place for migrants, urging that one individual’s actions should not tarnish the reputation of the entire community. Meanwhile, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the complex issues related to national security, immigration, and public safety, drawing a renewed focus on the handling of Afghan refugees and the policies that govern their entry into the United States.
