Ambush Near White House: Two National Guard Soldiers Critically Shot
Suspect, Identified as Afghan National, in Custody; Trump Orders Deployment of 500 Additional Troops.
The United States capital was rocked by a brazen act of violence on the eve of Thanksgiving, as two members of the West Virginia National Guard were critically wounded in a National Guard Ambush DC just two blocks from the White House. The attack, which occurred near the intersection of 17th and I Streets NW, was described by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser as a “targeted shooting” and an “ambush-styled attack” by law enforcement.
Details of the Ambush and Response
The incident unfolded rapidly when a lone gunman, identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, approached the troops and immediately opened fire. Reports suggest the attack was a calculated, ambush-style assault. Both soldiers sustained critical wounds and were rushed to separate hospitals. The swift response of nearby Guard members was crucial; they exchanged fire with the attacker and managed to subdue him after he was also shot. Authorities confirmed the suspect is in custody, and the White House was briefly placed under lockdown following the chaos.
Political Fallout and Investigation
The shocking nature of the National Guard Ambush DC quickly drew a political and security response at the highest levels. President Donald Trump, speaking from Florida, condemned the incident, calling the attacker an “animal” and promising he “will pay a very steep price.” He subsequently ordered the deployment of 500 additional National Guard troops to Washington D.C.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the bureau is leading the investigation, treating the incident as an “assault on a federal law enforcement officer” and a matter of “national security.” While the motive remains officially unknown, the attack prompted the Trump administration to immediately and indefinitely halt the processing of all immigration applications for Afghan nationals, pending a comprehensive review of vetting procedures under the ‘Operation Allies Welcome’ program that brought the suspect to the US in 2021.
Ongoing Concern for Troops and Vetting
The presence of National Guard troops in Washington D.C. has been a controversial topic for months, and this violent National Guard Ambush DC only exacerbates the ongoing debate over security and immigration vetting processes. The immediate focus remains on the critical condition of the two wounded soldiers and the thorough federal investigation now underway to determine the full scope and motivation behind this devastating attack.