Two National Guard soldiers were critically injured in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, November 26, after a gunman opened fire near Farragut Metro Station, close to the White House. The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is an Afghan national who previously worked alongside U.S. Special Forces and the CIA in Afghanistan.
President Donald Trump described the shooting as a “monstrous, ambush-style attack” carried out by a migrant who entered the United States in September 2021 during the U.S. withdrawal from Kabul. In response, Trump said all Afghan nationals admitted over the past five years will face thorough investigation, emphasizing that the perpetrator “will pay the steepest possible price” for his actions.
Authorities reported both soldiers sustained gunshot wounds to the head. The suspect was also injured in the incident but is in stable condition. CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed Lakanwal’s prior collaboration with U.S. forces in Afghanistan. A family member told NBC that Lakanwal is married with five children and had been injured while assisting American troops abroad. Ratcliffe criticized the U.S. government for permitting his entry, asserting he “should never have been allowed into the country.” CNN reports that his asylum was granted in April 2025 under the Trump administration.
CCTV footage is being examined, showing Lakanwal approaching the soldiers before drawing his firearm. One of the guards reportedly returned fire. Metropolitan Police Assistant Chief Jeffery Carroll described the incident as a lone-gunman ambush, confirming no additional suspects are being sought.
Eyewitnesses recounted chaotic scenes as two women nearby took cover after hearing multiple gunshots. Emergency responders quickly arrived, transporting one of the injured soldiers on a stretcher. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that the soldiers remain in critical condition. Conflicting early reports from Governor Patrick Morrisey initially claimed the soldiers had died, but he later clarified their status, offering prayers for the service members and their families.
The attack has raised renewed concerns over national security protocols and the vetting of foreign nationals with ties to U.S. military operations abroad. Investigators continue to examine the motive behind the shooting.