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Rahmanullah Lakanwal: DC National Guard shooting suspect's alleged social media account emerges

Rahmanullah Lakanwal was identified as the Afghan national who shot two National Guard troops near the White House on Wednesday

Published on: Nov 27, 2025, 06:11:27 IST
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Rahmanullah Lakanwal was identified as the Afghan national who shot two National Guard troops near the White House on Wednesday, CBS News reported, citing sources. He is 29 years old. Now, the suspect's alleged social media account has emerged. Several X users, including commentators, shared screenshots of profiles under his name. Authorities are yet to confirm the details.

FBI Director Kash Patel arrives to speak at a press conference after a shooting in downtown Washington (AFP)
FBI Director Kash Patel arrives to speak at a press conference after a shooting in downtown Washington (AFP)

CBS reported that Lakanwal entered the US in 2021. As per CNN, officials ran his fingerprints and got his initial name.

On Wednesday, the suspect reportedly used a handgun to fire at National Guard troops, who were on patrol. The victims were hit in the head and are in critical condition. Lakanwal, who was shot at the scene, was taken to the hospital.

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

NBC News cited law enforcement officials to add that the FBI plans to investigate the shooting as a possible act of terrorism. A motive has not been determined yet.

Now, Rahmanullah Lakanwal's alleged social media accounts have surfaced. HT.com cannot verify the authenticity of these posts at the moment.

Earlier in the day, President Donald Trump issued a strong statement before calling for another 500 National Guard troops to be deployed in DC.

“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. 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!” he wrote on Truth Social.

Read More: Rahmanullah Lakanwal: Alleged photo, immigration records of DC shooting suspect surface

Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser condemned the ‘targeted shooting’.

“Today’s attack on two members of the West Virginia National Guard was horrific and unconscionable,” Bowser wrote on X.

“My heart breaks for the victims of this horrific shooting in Washington DC near the White House. I am closely monitoring the situation and am praying for the wounded National Guardsmen and their families. I thank all the first responders for their quick action to capture the suspect," Chuck Schumer tweeted.

  • Yash Nitish Bajaj
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Yash Nitish Bajaj

    Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.Read More

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