Last Updated:
Washington Shooting: The suspect who opened fire on two National Guard soldiers near the White House in Washington DC has been identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal of Afghan origin. He came to America in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome and was staying illegally after overstaying his visa period. The incident is being investigated as a terrorist attack, while both soldiers are hospitalized in critical condition. Trump will soon address the nation.
- National Guard attacked near White House: On Wednesday afternoon, shots were suddenly fired at two National Guard soldiers just a few blocks away from the White House in the capital Washington DC. This bullet was fired in one of the safest areas of America, due to which there was a stir.
- Condition of injured soldiers critical: Both injured soldiers were members of the West Virginia National Guard and were taken to the hospital after being shot. According to FBI Director Kash Patel, his condition is ‘critical’. Elon Musk has said in a tweet that both of them were murdered.
- Who attacked?: Investigation revealed that the name of the attacker is Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who is 29 years old and is of Afghanistan origin. He was living in Washington State.
- How did Lakanwal reach America?: Initial information shows that Lakanwal came to America in 2021 under the Operation Allies Welcome program. This was the same program through which American allies were resettled in the country after the Afghan war.
- Lakanwal was living in the country illegally: CNN reports that Lakanwal violated immigration rules by overstaying his visa after arriving in the US. That means he was present in America ‘illegally’ at the time of the incident. Questions related to his immigration status and resettlement became a major point of political debate in the immediate aftermath of the attack.
- How was the attack carried out?: American media reports claim that on the day of the attack, Lakanwal wandered around the Farragut West metro station for several minutes, then at around 2:15 pm he suddenly started firing at two National Guard members. The report alleges that he first shot a female guard from close range, first in the chest and then in the head. After this he fired several rounds at the other guard. The third guard, who was posted nearby, immediately came running and controlled Lakanwal. During this time the suspect was also hit by four bullets.
- Suspect taken without clothes: Eyewitnesses say that within a few seconds a stampede broke out in the area. Two guards had fallen on the road. People nearby were trying to give CPR. Many soldiers were holding the suspect. The emergency team took the suspect without clothes because his clothes had to be removed during first aid. He was sent to the hospital in critical condition.
- Ban on entry of Afghans into America: According to an official of the US Justice Department, the case is being investigated as a terrorist attack. This has further increased the seriousness of the matter. According to CNN, the American immigration agency USCIS has stopped all the immigration files of Afghan citizens indefinitely. The agency says that the security procedure is being reviewed. Trump said that all Afghan citizens who came under the previous administration will be re-investigated.
- Lockdown in White House: President Donald Trump was in Florida at the time of the attack, but immediately after the incident the White House had to be locked down due to security reasons. Many federal agencies reached the spot. President Trump called the suspect an “animal” on social media and warned that he would “pay a very heavy price.” President Donald Trump Washington D.C. He is preparing to address the nation from Palm Beach, Florida on the shooting of two National Guard soldiers.
- Send additional National Guard: The US President immediately ordered to send 500 more National Guard soldiers to Washington. Around 2200 guards are already deployed in the city.
