Two West Virginia National Guard members were critically wounded after a gunman opened fire in Farragut Square, a busy area near the White House. Police say the attacker approached three guardsmen around 2:15 p.m. before shooting two of them. A third guardsman fired back and injured the suspect, who is now in custody.
President Donald Trump condemned the shooting as “a heinous assault—an act of evil, an act of hatred, and an act of terror.” He also said, “We will ensure the individual responsible faces the steepest possible penalty.” Trump announced tighter security screenings for Afghans who entered under Operation Allies Welcome.
Officials identified the shooter as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who arrived in 2021 through the same programme. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed his immigration background and said he acted alone. Both wounded soldiers remain in critical condition.
Operation Allies Welcome resettled about 76,000 Afghans who supported U.S. missions or faced threats after the Taliban takeover. Following the attack, Trump ordered a “full review” of Afghan entrants, and immigration authorities temporarily paused new Afghan applications. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will deploy 500 additional National Guard troops to Washington, D.C.
Former Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama condemned the attack and offered support for the victims. Shawn VanDiver of #AfghanEvac urged against collective blame, saying, “This was one man’s act of violence.” National Guard officials stressed their focus on the wounded soldiers, their families, and continued security.
