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What we know about shooting of National Guards in Washington DC

November 27, 2025

Two West Virginia National Guard members were critically wounded in an ambush shooting near the White House in Washington DC on Wednesday afternoon while conducting a high-visibility patrol. The alleged shooter, identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who arrived in the US in 2021 through a refugee program following the American withdrawal from Afghanistan, was apprehended at the scene after being shot four times. President Trump characterized the incident as terrorism and announced the deployment of 500 additional National Guard troops to the capital, while also suspending all Afghan immigration applications and ordering a review of all Afghans admitted under the previous administration.

Who is affected

  • Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24 (both West Virginia National Guard members shot and in critical condition)
  • Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29 (suspect in custody, shot four times during apprehension)
  • Lakanwal's wife and five children residing in Washington state
  • Afghans who entered the US under Operation Allies Welcome (subject to re-examination)
  • Afghans with pending immigration requests (processing suspended)
  • 500 additional National Guard troops being deployed
  • Office workers and residents in downtown Washington DC near Farragut Square

What action is being taken

  • The suspect is in custody and not cooperating with authorities
  • Both victims remain hospitalized in critical condition and are out of surgery
  • President Trump is deploying an additional 500 National Guard troops to Washington DC
  • The US is suspending processing of all immigration requests from Afghans
  • Authorities are preparing charges against the suspect (three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence)

Why it matters

  • This incident represents a significant security breach occurring just blocks from the White House, raising concerns about the safety of deployed National Guard members conducting patrols in the nation's capital. The attack has prompted immediate policy responses affecting Afghan immigration and asylum processing, potentially impacting thousands of individuals who entered the US through Operation Allies Welcome following the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal. The shooting has also intensified the debate over the vetting process for refugees and immigrants who previously assisted US forces, while highlighting the vulnerability of military personnel deployed domestically to address urban crime concerns.

What's next

  • The US will "re-examine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan under Biden"
  • Rahmanullah Lakanwal will be charged with three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence
  • An additional 500 National Guard troops will be deployed to Washington DC

Read full article from source: BBC