D.C. National Guard Suspect Rahmanullah Lakanwal Has Been Identified
Breaking news: D.C. National Guard suspect Rahmanullah Lakanwal identified amid recent security concerns. Stay updated on the unfolding events.
D.C. National Guard Suspect
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The D.C. National Guard suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, has been confirmed by DHS. He is an Afghan national. The suspected shooter near the White House wounded two Guard members in a sudden ambush.
One Guard member fired back before authorities took Lakanwal into custody. This happened during a shooting in Washington, D.C. A federal investigation is ongoing.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, identified at the scene, is being kept in the hospital under guard. His past work with U.S. elements in Afghanistan ended in 2021. Early reports, as seen in this news report, suggest that charges may change as the victims’ conditions are assessed.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said federal prosecutors are preparing serious charges. Authorities say there was only one gunman. They will investigate the source of the weapons, the motive, and the suspect’s movements before the shooting.
More updates will be given once the evidence is reviewed. More Trending News.
D.C. National Guard Suspect Key Takeaways
- DHS confirmation named Rahmanullah Lakanwal as the D.C. National Guard suspect.
- Two Guard members were wounded in a suspected shooter near White House.
- A Guard member returned fire; the suspect was detained and hospitalized.
- His past ties include a CIA partner force role in Afghanistan that ended in 2021.
- A federal investigation is active, with serious charges under review.
- Prosecutors say charges may change based on the Guardsmen’s conditions.
What We Know So Far About the Ambush Near the White House
The scene near Farragut Square quickly drew a response. High-visibility patrols were active in downtown. The suspect, identified by DHS, acted alone in the attack, which happened near a busy transit stop.
Early ambush details show a brief, intense burst of gunfire. It all ended in just minutes.
Identification of the suspect and current status
The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is 29 and from Afghanistan. He is in custody and not cooperating, officials say. He is seen as a lone gunman at this point.
He was subdued after a National Guard member returned fire. A prosecution update is expected as detectives review evidence.
Details of the shooting and the response by National Guard members
Witnesses say the suspect started with a handgun with four rounds. The first shots hit a Guard member at close range. A weapon was taken from the Guard member and used to fire again.
Then, a third Guard member fired and stopped the threat. Troops quickly moved people back and secured the area. Investigators are studying the shots and timing to understand the ambush.
Condition of the wounded Guard members
The wounded Guard members are Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24. Both are in critical condition after surgery.
Hospitals are closely watching them for any complications. Any changes in their condition will affect the prosecution’s next steps.
Charges under consideration by federal prosecutors
Prosecutors are looking at three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed. They also consider one count of using a firearm during a crime of violence. Federal charges are pending, and could change based on the victims’ medical status.
Charging language and enhancements are being reviewed. For more on the case timeline and investigative steps, see this prosecution update from officials.
D.C. National Guard suspect: Background, entry to the U.S., and ties to U.S. forces
Key background details help frame the path from Afghanistan to the United States and the checks along the way. Officials confirmed his entry and status, including asylum and a pending green card review. A DHS spelling clarification corrected earlier reports, aligning records across agencies. U.S. military and D.C testing its authority on guard deployments to Washington, D.C
Entry to the United States under Operation Allies Welcome
He arrived in 2021 as an Afghan evacuee after the Taliban takeover. He entered under Operation Allies Welcome parole, using humanitarian parole. This pathway, confirmed by DHS, was used for many families seeking safety.
For more on vetting and arrival programs, see this report on Afghan admissions and screening.
Asylum status and pending green card application
He applied for protection in 2024 and was granted asylum in 2025. A pending green card request is currently under review. This follows the usual sequence after asylum is granted.
Work with the U.S. government and CIA in Afghanistan
Before the partnership ended in 2021, he worked with a CIA partner force in Kandahar. Reports detail U.S. and British forces working with an Afghan special forces unit. They were in contested areas together.
Travel from Washington state to D.C., and an ongoing investigation
Investigators followed a route from Bellingham, Washington, to D.C. and executed a search warrant, seizing electronic devices. These are being reviewed. Nationwide interviews are also being conducted to track his contacts and movements.
D.C. National Guard Suspect Conclusion
The National Guard ambush near the White House left Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe is in critical condition. The suspected lone gunman, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was shot by a Guard member. He is now in custody and hospitalized.
He has not helped the ongoing federal investigation. They are collecting evidence, digital records, and witness accounts. DHS and CIA confirmations show his journey to the U.S. and past affiliations.
He entered the U.S. in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome. He obtained asylum in 2025 and has a pending green card application. The CIA confirmed he worked with a partner force in Kandahar that ended in 2021.
Officials are tracing his drive from Washington state to D.C. They are examining devices seized across multiple states for motive and intent. Federal prosecutors say charges are pending, including assault and firearm offenses.
Final counts may change based on the victims’ conditions. For a broader public safety update and timeline, see this live investigation tracking. It shows how evidence is being vetted and cross-referenced.
The case is ongoing, with the FBI and partners working on leads. DHS and CIA confirmations will anchor the record. Prosecutors will weigh next steps.
Expect steady public safety update briefings as the facts are tested. The case will advance through the federal system. Formal charging decisions will follow.
D.C. National Guard Suspect FAQ
Who is the suspect identified in the D.C. National Guard ambush?
The Department of Homeland Security named 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal as the suspect. He acted alone. A National Guard member shot him, and he’s now in the hospital.
What happened during the ambush near the White House?
A lone gunman attacked a National Guard patrol near a Washington, D.C. transit station. The suspect took a Guard member’s gun and kept shooting. A third Guard member then stopped the attack by firing back.
What is the condition of the wounded Guard members?
Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, was shot. They had surgery and are in critical condition. Their medical status might affect the charges against the suspect.
What charges are federal prosecutors considering?
Prosecutors plan to charge the suspect with three counts of assault and one count of firearm possession. The charges might change as more evidence comes in, and based on the victims’ health.
How did officials describe the suspect’s actions and cooperation?
The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department called it an ambush by one gunman. The suspect is not yet cooperating with authorities.
How many rounds did the suspect have, and how did the shooting unfold?
The suspect had four rounds in his handgun. He first hit a female Guard member, then took her gun and shot another. A third Guard member then fired back.
What is known about the suspect’s entry to the United States?
Lakanwal entered the U.S. in 2021. He was paroled under Operation Allies Welcome for Afghan evacuees. His parole was for humanitarian reasons.
What is the suspect’s current immigration status?
Lakanwal applied for asylum in 2024 and got it in 2025. He’s waiting for permanent residence. There are other ways for Afghans to get relief, like Special Immigrant Visas.
Did the suspect have ties to the U.S. government or intelligence community?
Yes, Lakanwal worked with the U.S. government, including the CIA, in Kandahar. His work ended in 2021 after the U.S. left Afghanistan. He led a team that worked with U.S. and British forces.
What do officials say about motive and mental state?
Investigators haven’t found a motive yet. A former Afghan commando said Lakanwal was upset about a friend’s death. But officials haven’t confirmed this motive.
Where did the suspect travel from, and what is currently being investigated?
Lakanwal drove from Bellingham, Washington, to Washington, D.C. Investigators are searching his last known address and interviewing people nationwide.
What agencies are leading the investigation, and what is the status?
The case is ongoing, with DHS, the FBI, the CIA, and the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department involved. They will follow the evidence wherever it leads and update the public as they can.
Were the National Guard patrols part of a larger deployment?
Yes. The Guard was on high-visibility patrols as part of a deployment ordered by President Trump.
Did DHS correct the suspect’s name spelling?
Yes. DHS first misspelled the last name as Lakamal before confirming it as Lakanwal.
What evidence has been collected so far?
Authorities found cellphones, laptops, and iPads for analysis. They’ve identified associates in San Diego and are following leads nationwide.
