Afghan National Charged in Fatal Shooting of National Guard Members Near White House

On November 26, 2025, two National Guard members were shot near the White House in Washington, D.C. The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, allegedly ambushed the guardsmen near the Farragut West Metro station, critically injuring both. One of the victims, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, later died from her injuries. The other, Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in critical condition.

Lakanwal, who entered the U.S. in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome—a program for resettling Afghans who supported U.S. forces—was granted asylum in April 2025. He had previously worked with a CIA-backed Afghan unit.

In response to the incident, President Donald Trump called the shooting a "terrorist attack" and announced a halt to all asylum decisions and the suspension of visa processing for Afghan passport holders. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that Lakanwal was "radicalized" after arriving in the U.S.

The FBI and other agencies are investigating the possibility that the attack was directed or inspired by international terrorists. However, no specific evidence tying Lakanwal to a terrorist organization has been publicly released, and no terror charges have been filed.

Lakanwal remains hospitalized under heavy guard as the investigation continues.