Federal authorities have identified the suspect accused of opening fire on two National Guard service members in Washington, D.C., as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021. According to multiple law enforcement sources, the violent attack unfolded near the Farragut North Metro Station, just blocks from the White House, in what officials are describing as a deliberate and targeted ambush. Witnesses and investigators say roughly 10 to 15 shots were fired during the exchange, which ended when the suspect was struck four times and taken into custody.
Authorities confirmed that Lakanwal was transported by ambulance to a local hospital, where he remains under guard. He reportedly had no identification on him at the time of the incident and has refused to cooperate with investigators. As for the two National Guard service members, conflicting reports about their conditions have circulated widely. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey initially announced on social media that both had died, but later clarified that he had received inconsistent information. Some federal officials have suggested the victims remain in critical condition and may be medically brain dead, though no official confirmation has been released.
Public officials have expressed deep concern and sorrow in the wake of the shooting. West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey wrote that he and his wife were “devastated” by the attack and were praying for the service members and their families. District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb also condemned the violence, noting that National Guard members are volunteers who routinely leave their families to serve their country. He described the shooting as a heartbreaking moment for Washington, D.C., and the nation as a whole.
Federal and local agencies, including the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, are actively investigating the circumstances of the ambush. Authorities are examining whether the shooting may qualify as an act of terrorism, though they stressed that the investigation remains in its early stages. Some witness accounts claimed the suspect may have shouted a phrase in a foreign language during the attack, but officials cautioned that those reports are unverified and remain under review.
Law enforcement agencies have found no evidence suggesting any direct link between the shooting and the White House or other federal property. Still, the violent assault has reignited national discussions regarding the safety of military personnel in public spaces, the rise of ambush-style attacks, and the broader debates surrounding immigration vetting and public security. Officials also noted that attacks targeting military and law enforcement personnel have increased nationwide in 2025, contributing to heightened concern.
Authorities are urging anyone who witnessed the shooting or who may have video evidence to contact investigators immediately. As the investigation continues, officials expect to release additional information in the coming days, while communities across the region await clarity on the victims’ conditions and the motive behind the attack.
