Trump Condemns D.C. Shooting as “Act of Terror,” Afghan National Identified as Suspect
Two West Virginia National Guard members were critically wounded after being shot near the White House on Wednesday afternoon in what officials have described as a targeted attack.
President Donald Trump, speaking from Florida, called the shooting “a heinous assault—an act of evil, an act of hatred, and an act of terror.” He announced that federal authorities will increase security screenings for Afghans who entered the United States under the Biden administration’s Operation Allies Welcome programme.
What Happened
Police say a lone gunman opened fire around 2:15 p.m. local time (19:15 GMT) in Farragut Square, a busy area near downtown Washington, D.C. and within walking distance of the White House.
According to preliminary reports, the suspect approached three National Guard members before opening fire, striking two. The third guardsman returned fire, wounding the attacker, who remains under police custody and in hospital care.
Both injured soldiers are members of West Virginia’s National Guard. Officials say they remain in critical condition.
More than 2,200 National Guard members are currently deployed across the capital, including 925 from D.C. and over 1,200 from other states.
Who Is the Suspect
Investigators have identified the shooter as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who arrived in the U.S. in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, the resettlement initiative launched following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
https://x.com/Sec_Noem/status/1993867792190238790?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1993867792190238790%7Ctwgr%5E6d8ffe6b687f3ca0b2058f293431113e3940bc37%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fdailypositive24.com%2F42663Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed his immigration history, while emphasizing that the suspect acted alone.
https://x.com/USCIS/status/1993882694640415163?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1993882694640415163%7Ctwgr%5E6d8ffe6b687f3ca0b2058f293431113e3940bc37%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fdailypositive24.com%2F42663
