Two National Guard members in critical condition after shooting near White House

November 27, 2025

Two National Guard soldiers from West Virginia were critically wounded in a shooting near the White House in Washington DC when a lone gunman ambushed them during their patrol. The suspect, identified by authorities as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the United States in September 2021, was subdued by nearby National Guard members after opening fire and was shot multiple times in the confrontation. President Trump responded by ordering additional National Guard troops to the capital and halting all Afghan immigration processing pending a security review of vetting procedures.

Who is affected

Two National Guard soldiers from West Virginia (critically injured)
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the suspect from Afghanistan (shot four times)
Tens of thousands of Afghans who entered the US under special immigration protections following the 2021 withdrawal
Afghan nationals with pending immigration requests (now halted)
National Guard members deployed in Washington DC (approximately 2,200 currently serving)
Residents and workers near Farragut Square Metro Station
Travelers at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (temporarily affected by flight groundings)

What action is being taken

The FBI is leading the investigation into the shooting
US Citizenship and Immigration Services has halted processing of all Afghan immigration requests pending a review of vetting protocols
President Trump is sending 500 additional National Guard members to Washington DC
Nearly 2,200 National Guard troops are currently deployed in Washington DC
The suspect is being held in custody (though not cooperating with authorities)
Medical treatment is being provided to the two injured soldiers in separate hospitals

Why it matters

This attack represents a significant security breach occurring less than two blocks from the White House and raises serious questions about immigration vetting procedures for Afghan nationals who entered the United States following the 2021 withdrawal. The incident has immediate policy implications, triggering a complete halt to Afghan immigration processing and prompting increased military presence in the nation's capital. The shooting also intensifies the ongoing political debate over Trump's deployment of National Guard troops to Democratic-led cities and the broader questions of federal authority, urban safety, and the balance between security measures and civil liberties in addressing crime.

What's next

The administration will conduct a re-examination of every individual who entered the US from Afghanistan under the Biden administration
A review of vetting protocols for Afghan immigration is underway
500 additional National Guard members will be deployed to Washington DC
The suspect will face prosecution (Trump vowed he would "pay the steepest possible price")

Read full article from source: BBC