In Washington, near the White House, two members of the U.S. National Guard were seriously injured in a shooting, as reported by FBI Director Kash Patel. The attacker was wounded and detained. It is reported that he is likely an immigrant from Afghanistan, according to the BBC.
At a press conference, Patel stated: “Two of our brave soldiers became victims of a despicable act of violence. Their condition is critical.” He added that the investigation into the incident is being conducted by the FBI in conjunction with other federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Secret Service.
According to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, the shooting was specifically targeted at the guardsmen. She confirmed: “This was a deliberate attack. One person has been detained, who apparently chose these soldiers as his targets.” West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey initially reported the deaths of two guardsmen but later clarified that their condition remains unclear.
U.S. President Donald Trump also commented on the critical condition of the two National Guard members and added that the shooting suspect was seriously injured. While in Florida, Trump described the shooter as an “animal” and noted that he would “pay a high price” for his actions, despite his injuries.
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance stated that the motives for the shooting remain unknown at this time. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth noted that Trump has requested the deployment of an additional 500 National Guard troops to Washington. Authorities have increased security measures in the area around the White House following the incident.
Information about the shooter
Hours after the attack, it became known that the FBI has likely identified the suspect. According to sources from CNN, preliminary data points to a man from Washington state who likely immigrated to the U.S. from Afghanistan in August 2021. Authorities have checked the fingerprints of the detained individual but continue to work on additional confirmation of his identity.
According to CBS, the suspect is named Rahmanullah Lakanwal and is 29 years old.
Witnesses recount the incident
Tom Bateman, BBC correspondent in Washington
I am in front of the metro station where the shooting occurred. The scene is cordoned off, there are many journalists, and the pavement is littered with shards of glass from the bus stop. The intersection is filled with police and National Guard troops, just a block and a half from the White House.
I spoke with several eyewitnesses. One of them said he heard two shots at first, followed by three more. People panicked and ran in different directions, some sought shelter in a nearby store. Another witness, who was in a car nearby, also heard the gunfire and recorded the aftermath on video.
In his footage, two National Guard soldiers can be seen lying on the sidewalk, receiving medical assistance. There was also a third person on the sidewalk, who may have been a civilian receiving help.
What other witnesses are saying
Stacey Walters, who was in an Uber, told Fox News that she heard two shots and saw people start to run in panic. 21-year-old student Ryan Akid, who came to Washington for Thanksgiving, also witnessed the events. He saw a man lying face down with his hands behind his back, presumably the shooter. According to him, one bystander was holding him in place.
CNN also released a video showing a police officer trying to revive one of the guardsmen lying on the sidewalk next to the broken bus stop. A man named Patrick, who recorded the video, mentioned that he heard several bursts of gunfire and then took cover in an alley. “I couldn’t tell exactly what kind of weapon it was, but it looked like it was high caliber,” he noted.
In August, the Trump administration sent 800 troops to the District of Columbia to assist local law enforcement in combating crime. Trump stated at that time that all homeless people should leave Washington and that the capital's police would come under federal control. Some National Guard units began patrolling the streets of Washington armed to ensure the safety of residents.
