U.S. National Guard soldiers near the White House. Photo Reuters / Nathan Howard.
On November 26, Wednesday, an incident occurred in the vicinity of the White House in Washington, resulting in two U.S. National Guard soldiers being injured. Officials described the event as a targeted attack. According to Reuters, the suspect was apprehended and sustained gunshot wounds during the incident.
According to a representative from the U.S. Department of Justice, who wished to remain anonymous, the attacker was identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a citizen of Afghanistan residing in Washington State. Authorities are treating this case as a terrorist act.
Lakanwal arrived in the United States in 2021 under a special visa program for Afghans who had collaborated with U.S. forces during the conflict in Afghanistan and were at risk of persecution by the Taliban after the troop withdrawal. However, sources report that his visa had expired, and he was in the country unlawfully.
At the time of the incident, U.S. President Donald Trump was in Florida. As a result of the incident, the White House was temporarily cordoned off, and additional law enforcement forces were dispatched to the scene.
The injured soldiers, representing the West Virginia National Guard, were on patrol several blocks from the White House. Deputy Chief of the Metropolitan Police Jeff Carroll reported that the attacker appeared unexpectedly and opened fire.
After the shooting, other members of the National Guard were able to subdue the shooter. Both soldiers are in critical condition at local medical facilities.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser characterized the incident as a "targeted attack." Preliminary reports suggest that only one suspect acted alone.
