The suspect who shot two National Guard members near the White House in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday has been identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, an Afghan national.

Lakanwal entered the United States under the Biden administration’s Operation Allies Welcome during the Afghanistan withdrawal in 2021. His visa expired in September, leaving him in the U.S. illegally. He worked with U.S. government entities, including the CIA, as part of a partner force in Kandahar before the chaotic evacuation in August 2021.

The shooting occurred around 2:15 p.m near the Farragut West Metro Station, just blocks from the White House. The suspect acted as a “lone gunman,” ambushing National Guard troops on patrol. He fired four rounds from a handgun, then grabbed a guard’s weapon to shoot another. A third member intervened and subdued Lakanwal, who is now in custody and hospitalized.

Lakanwal’s immigration status remains unclear, though he was granted asylum under the Biden-era program. The administration failed to properly vet Afghan nationals, allowing dozens of terrorists into the country. Over 90,000 Afghans were resettled via Operation Allies Refuge and Operation Allies Welcome, with some placed in military “Safe Havens” until they were resettled.

The attack has sparked criticism of the Biden administration for its handling of the crisis, with officials noting the failure to vet refugees as the Taliban retook control. The FBI later removed 46 evacuees from the watchlist, but nine remained in the terror database as of July 2024.

Lakanwal’s motive remains undetermined, though some reports suggest he yelled “Allahu Akbar” before the attack. Authorities are investigating the incident as a potential act of terrorism.
The National Guard members, who were mothers, fathers, sisters, and children, continue to face challenges from political and media figures who vilify their service.

This is a guest post from WLTReport.
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