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Two National Guard soldiers critically wounded in Washington DC shooting
A lone gunman opened fire on two West Virginia National Guard members in downtown Washington DC on Wednesday afternoon, critically wounding both soldiers in what city officials described as a "targeted shooting." The attack occurred less than two blocks from the White House, near Farragut Square Metro Station, at approximately 14:15 EST (19:15 GMT).
Suspect identified as Afghan national, motive unclear
US President Donald Trump identified the suspect as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the United States in September 2021. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed Lakanwal's identity in a press release, labeling him a "criminal alien from Afghanistan." His exact immigration status remains unclear, though tens of thousands of Afghans were admitted under special protections following the chaotic US withdrawal in 2021.
President Trump, speaking from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, condemned the attack as "an act of evil, an act of hatred, and an act of terror." He pledged that the suspect would "pay the steepest possible price" and announced a review of all Afghan immigrants admitted under the Biden administration. "We must now re-examine every alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan under Biden," Trump declared in a live address.
Attack and immediate response
According to Metropolitan Police Assistant Chief Jeff Carroll, the suspect "came around the corner" and "immediately started firing" at the soldiers, who were on a high-visibility patrol near 17th and I Streets-a busy area frequented by office workers. Other National Guard members nearby heard the gunfire and intervened, subduing the shooter after he was wounded. Law enforcement sources told CBS the suspect was shot four times during the confrontation.
FBI Director Kash Patel, whose agency is leading the investigation, called the assault a "brazen" and "horrendous act of violence." The suspect, who remains in custody, has not cooperated with authorities, and no motive has been established. The weapon used in the attack has not yet been identified.
"They actually were able to intervene and to kind of hold down the suspect, after he had been shot, on the ground until law enforcement got there within moments," Carroll said of the responding National Guard members.
Victims' condition and public reaction
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey initially reported on X (formerly Twitter) that both soldiers had died from their injuries but later corrected the statement, citing "conflicting reports." The soldiers remain in critical condition at separate hospitals. Vice President JD Vance, addressing troops in Kentucky at the time of the attack, called for prayers for the victims, while Trump offered his support on Truth Social: "God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement."
Security measures and broader impact
The attack prompted a temporary grounding of flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, disrupting travel on the eve of Thanksgiving. Witnesses described chaos at the scene, with shattered glass from a bus stop littering the pavement and bystanders seeking shelter. One witness captured footage of the wounded soldiers receiving medical attention on the street, alongside the injured suspect.
In response to the shooting, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the deployment of 500 additional National Guard members to Washington DC. "This will only stiffen our resolve to ensure that we make Washington DC safe and beautiful," Hegseth stated. The city currently hosts nearly 2,200 National Guard troops from eight states, deployed since August to address what Trump has characterized as "out of control" crime.
Crime trends and political context
Washington DC police data indicates a decline in violent crime since the National Guard's arrival, with homicides dropping from 107 to 62 and overall offenses falling from 9,500 to 6,500 in comparable periods. Trump has credited the troop presence for the reduction, though his deployments to Democratic-led cities like Los Angeles and Chicago have faced legal challenges over accusations of federal overreach.
US Citizenship and Immigration Services has halted processing of all Afghan immigration requests pending a review of vetting protocols, following Trump's directive.
