Argus News - White House Shooting: What We Know So Far About The Suspect

New Delhi, Nov 27: A routine afternoon patrol turned into a chaos when two west Virginia National guard members were shot near the White House, leaving both soldiers critically injured and sparking a swift security response.
 

According to officials, the incident occurred at around 2:15 pm when armed soldiers were patrolling the streets near the Farragut West Metro Station in Northwest DC. A gunman suddenly emerged from behind a building column and opened fire, striking a female guard in the chest before shooting her in the head.

 

The crazed gunman then reportedly fired at the second guard until a third guard stationed nearby rushed to the area and took him down.

 

They were immediately rescued to a nearby hospital, where they remain in critical condition, authorities said.


Also read: US Halts Processing Afghan Immigration Requests After 'Terror Attack' On White House

 

According to a report in the New York Post, law enforcement sources confirmed that both National Guard troops were struck during the shooting before reinforcements — including another Guard member and local police — arrived on the scene.

 

Law-enforcement agencies including the FBI, D.C. Metropolitan Police, and Department of Homeland Security launched a joint investigation. While officials have not confirmed a motive, they say the initial evidence indicates the attack was intentional and planned, rather than random.

 

All about the suspect Rahmanullah Lakanwal

• The suspect, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national. He was arrested and taken into custody.
• During the investigation, it was revealed that he is immigrant from Afghanistan who entered the US during the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal.
• According to reports, the suspect had entered the United States during the chaotic collapse of the Afghan government in Kabul, when American forces were frantically evacuating thousands of people as the Taliban seized control of the country.
• The 29-year-old was part of Operation Allies Welcome, the Biden-era program that resettled tens of thousands of Afghans after the US withdrawal from the country, officials said.
• A 29-year-old Afghan national had also served as a soldier alongside the US military, according to some reports.
• Rahmanullah Lakanwal served in the 01 Unit during the former Afghan Republic – a unit that was established, trained, and equipped by US intelligence, reports said.

 

Also read: National Guard Shot Near White House, Donald Trump Calls it an “Act of Terror”


Officials Respond, Security Heightened

Reportedly, the area around the White House is placed under high security as the Trump administration responded by ordering an additional 500 National Guards members to Washington. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the President had directed him to send more troops. Nearly 2,200 guard members are currently assigned to the city's joint task force according to the Government report.

 

Investigation Deepens

The shooting has sparked renewed debate about security in central Washington, an area known for heavy law-enforcement presence. Many residents expressed shock that such an incident could occur so close to one of the most protected zones in the country.

 

As of now, authorities say there is no indication of additional suspects and the attack appears to have been carried out by Lakanwal alone.

 

The investigation is ongoing, and officials are expected to release further details in the coming days.

(By Aditi Majhi)