National Guard shooting: 5 things to know about DC suspect Rahmanullah Lakanwal

The suspect who shot two members of the West Virginia National Guardsmen in Washington, DC, has been identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal.

Updated on: Nov 27, 2025, 08:28:56 IST

By Sumanti Sen

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The suspect who shot two members of the West Virginia National Guardsmen in Washington, DC, leaving them in critical condition, has been identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, CBS News reported, citing sources. The targeted attack, which took place just blocks from the White House on Wednesday, November 26, occurred after 2:15 pm (local time) near the corner of 17th and I Streets NW.

Law enforcement officers secure the scene of a shooting in Washington, DC, US, on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. Two National Guardsmen were shot in downtown Washington near the White House and a suspect is in custody, officials said Wednesday. Photographer: Aaron Schwartz/Bloomberg (Bloomberg)

The shooting took place in a high-security zone close to the White House perimeter. The suspect suffered gunshot wounds, and was taken into custody at the scene.

Five things to know about the suspect so far

Two senior US law enforcement officials said that the suspect has been initially identified as an Afghan national, according to NBC News.
The suspect is believed to have immigrated from Afghanistan into the United States in 2021, CNN reported.
The suspect used a handgun in the shooting.
Lakanwal, who was wounded, was transferred to an area hospital after the shooting.
A law enforcement source said the individual is not cooperating with investigators and had no identification on him at the time of his arrest, according to CNN.

Donald Trump called the suspect an “animal” in a Truth Social post. “The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen, with both being critically wounded, and now in two separate hospitals, is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price,” the US President wrote. “God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement. These are truly Great People. I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!”

Former President Joe Biden also condemned the shooting in a social media post. He wrote in on X, “Jill and I are heartbroken that two members of the National Guard were shot outside the White House. Violence of any kind is unacceptable, and we must all stand united against it. We are praying for the service members and their families.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sumanti Sen
Sumanti Sen covers everything that’s happening in the US, from politics to entertainment, but her expertise lies in covering crime news. She has comprehensively chronicled the Idaho student murders, the Laken Riley and Iryna Zarutska cases, and the killing of Charlie Kirk, among other incidents. Over the years, she has interviewed several victims/families of victims of crimes seeking justice. She digs up stories that might otherwise remain unheard, and does her bit to ensure that victims and survivors’ voices are heard. Sumanti’s many years of experience also include interviews with Hamas attack survivors and mental health experts, among others. Her coverage of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and interviews with survivors of the tragedy, coupled with her other works including the Titan submersible coverage, earned her the Digi Journo of the Quarter award during her first year at Hindustan Times. Sumanti actively tracks missing person cases in the United States, and peruses Reddit and other social media platforms to bring to light cases that frequently elude public attention. She has extensively covered the disappearances of Nancy Guthrie, Thomas Medlin, Beau Mann, and Sudiksha Konanki, among others. When not at work, you will either find her with her novels, or with her beloved rescue pooches.Read More

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