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

Two West Virginia National Guard members were critically injured in a shooting near the White House on November 26, 2025. The incident occurred around 2:15 p.m. near the Farragut West metro station, approximately two blocks from the White House. The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was apprehended after being wounded during an exchange of gunfire.

The victims, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, were hospitalized in critical condition. Both are members of the West Virginia National Guard, which had deployed troops to Washington, D.C., as part of a federal mission.

Lakanwal entered the United States in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, a program initiated to resettle Afghans who had assisted U.S. forces. Prior to his arrival, he served in a CIA-backed Afghan Army unit known as the Zero Units.

Authorities have not yet determined a motive for the attack. The FBI is investigating the incident as a potential act of terrorism.

In response to the shooting, President Donald Trump ordered an additional 500 National Guard troops to be deployed to Washington, D.C., citing concerns over national security.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has suspended processing immigration requests for Afghan nationals pending a review of vetting protocols.

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.