An Afghan national, identified by federal officials as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is the suspected shooter in a Nov. 26, 2025 ambush that wounded two National Guard members just blocks from the White House in downtown Washington, D.C. Law enforcement officials say the suspect was shot by a fellow Guard member at the scene and taken into custody; he is hospitalized and not cooperating with investigators. Authorities say the attack occurred near a mass-transit station during a high-visibility patrol and left both wounded troops in critical condition. The suspect is reported to have entered the United States in 2021 under a parole program for Afghans.
Key Takeaways
- Suspect identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29; taken into custody and hospitalized after being shot by another Guard member on Nov. 26, 2025.
- Attack occurred a few blocks from the White House near a downtown D.C. transit station while Guard members were on high-visibility patrols.
- Two National Guard troops—both from the West Virginia National Guard—sustained serious injuries and were reported in critical condition by FBI leadership.
- Officials say the assailant initially had four rounds in his handgun, shot one Guard member, seized her weapon and fired again before being stopped by return fire.
- The suspect entered the U.S. in 2021 and was paroled on Sept. 8, 2021 under the Operation Allies Welcome program, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
- The suspect is currently not cooperating with investigators and motive has not been established publicly.
- Guards deployed in D.C. were part of a monthslong mission ordered by President Trump for high-visibility security patrols.
Background
The United States accepted thousands of Afghan nationals in 2021 following the U.S. military withdrawal and the Taliban’s return to power. Many arrivals received Special Immigrant Visas after working with U.S. forces; others entered or remained under temporary humanitarian parole programs such as Operation Allies Welcome. In addition, the Biden administration extended temporary protected status to more than 8,000 Afghan nationals, a designation President Trump moved to end earlier in 2025.
Operation Allies Welcome was set up to process and resettle Afghans who assisted U.S. missions; parole is a temporary immigration status that allows entry without conferring permanent residency. The deployment of National Guard troops in the capital has been sustained for months, with units from multiple states—including West Virginia—assigned to visible patrols near transit hubs, federal buildings and other high-traffic areas. Those patrols are part of a broader security posture ordered by the administration to deter threats and reassure the public.
Main Event
According to law enforcement sources, the assailant approached a three-member National Guard patrol near a downtown transit station on Nov. 26, 2025, raised a handgun and fired. The first service member struck was a female Guard member, who was hit immediately and collapsed; she reportedly sustained at least two gunshot wounds. Investigators say the suspect then took that service member’s weapon and continued firing, seriously wounding a second Guard member.
A third Guardsman who was with the patrol was not injured and returned fire, striking the suspect and ending the attack. Multiple law enforcement sources told reporters the suspect initially had four rounds in his handgun. The suspect was subdued by Guard members and other officers at the scene and was subsequently transported to a hospital; authorities say he is in custody and receiving medical care.
Local police officials briefed media at the scene and described the shooter as appearing to act alone. The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and federal partners, including the FBI, have jurisdictional roles in the investigation and are coordinating evidence collection, witness interviews and forensic work. At the time of initial reporting, investigators said the suspect was not cooperating with questioning.
Analysis & Implications
The attack underscores the security challenges facing high-profile public spaces in a capital city with a sustained security presence. High-visibility Guard patrols are meant to deter violence, but the incident shows that patrols themselves can become targets, raising questions about patrol tactics, force protection and patrol spacing near transit hubs. Commanders will likely review patrol patterns, staffing ratios and immediate medical-response protocols in the wake of the ambush.
Immigration status and entry pathways for the suspect have become focal points in political and public debate. The suspect’s reported parole entry in Sept. 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome places the case at the intersection of national security, immigration policy and refugee resettlement discussions. Policymakers may use the incident to press for changes to parole procedures, vetting standards or information-sharing between immigration and law-enforcement agencies, though investigators caution that motive and background checks remain under review.
From a legal perspective, if authorities establish criminal intent, prosecutions could involve state and federal charges, given the location and the involvement of military personnel on U.S. soil. The fact that both wounded troops are from a state National Guard unit introduces interstate coordination for victim support and benefits. Internationally, the case may fuel conversations about resettlement programs and the balance between humanitarian obligations and domestic security measures.
Comparison & Data
| Date | Event / Data |
|---|---|
| Sept. 8, 2021 | Reported parole into U.S. under Operation Allies Welcome |
| 2021 | Thousands of Afghan nationals arrived after U.S. withdrawal |
| 2023 | Over 8,000 Afghan nationals granted temporary protected status extension |
| Nov. 26, 2025 | Ambush near White House wounded two National Guard members |
The table places the suspect’s reported entry and parole date in the context of broader resettlement activity since 2021. While more than 8,000 Afghan nationals were noted as receiving temporary protected status in 2023, the majority of program participants have no criminal records; officials say each case still requires independent investigation to determine any direct links to violence. Analysts caution against drawing broad policy conclusions from a single incident without a full evidentiary record.
Reactions & Quotes
“The suspect was paroled into the U.S. on Sept. 8, 2021, under Operation Allies Welcome,”
Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security (posted statement)
Noem’s statement focused on the suspect’s immigration pathway and the administrative program under which he entered; officials cited that information while investigators continued to examine the suspect’s background.
“He appeared to be a lone gunman that raised the firearm and ambushed these members of the National Guard,”
Jeff Carroll, Executive Assistant Chief, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department
Carroll’s remarks summarized the immediate tactical sequence at the scene and the MPD’s initial operational assessment that the shooter acted alone.
“Both service members are in critical condition,”
Kash Patel, FBI Director (statement)
The FBI director’s brief comment conveyed the seriousness of the injuries and signaled federal involvement in the ongoing investigation.
Unconfirmed
- Motive for the attack has not been publicly established and remains under investigation.
- Details about the suspect’s criminal history, affiliations or specific reasons for targeting the patrol are unverified.
- The precise immigration classification currently held by the suspect (parole vs. visa vs. other status) beyond the reported Sept. 8, 2021 parole entry remains unclear in public records.
Bottom Line
The Nov. 26 ambush near the White House that left two National Guard troops critically injured highlights a complex mix of local security, immigration policy and political sensitivity. Investigators have apprehended the suspect and preserved the crime scene, but key questions about motive and background remain open and will determine how the incident is handled legally and administratively.
In the weeks ahead, expect federal and local agencies to release additional forensic findings, witness accounts and a fuller timeline; policymakers will likely debate the implications for resettlement programs and screening procedures. For the public, the immediate priority is transparent investigative updates and support for the injured service members while authorities pursue a thorough, evidence-based inquiry.
Sources
- CBS News — News report summarizing law-enforcement and official statements (media)