Two West Virginia National Guard members were critically wounded Wednesday in what authorities described as a “targeted” ambush near the White House. A lone suspect was shot and taken into custody as federal and local officials investigate the attack as possible terrorism.
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On Wednesday, two members of the West Virginia National Guard were reported to be in critical condition following a shooting that officials in Washington, D.C., described as a “targeted” ambush occurring just blocks away from the White House.
A shooting took place at approximately 2:15 p.m. at the intersection of 17th and I streets NW, where Guard members were engaged in a “high-visibility patrol,” according to Metropolitan Police Department Executive Assistant Chief Jeffery Carroll. A solitary assailant reportedly “ambushed” the soldiers close to a subway entrance, prompting other Guard members to return fire and hit the suspect.
Officials reported that the assailant seemed to have operated independently. A Justice Department official informed Reuters that the incident is under investigation as a potential act of terrorism.
According to a Reuters report, an unnamed official revealed that the individual in question is Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who arrived in the United States in 2021. According to USA TODAY, the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and Metropolitan Police have yet to verify the identity. The identities of the victims remain undisclosed.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey previously made an inaccurate statement regarding the deaths of the Guard members.
“We ask for your thoughts and support for the courageous individuals facing serious challenges, along with their loved ones,” stated FBI Director Kash Patel. “They are present, dedicated to our nation.” They are present, safeguarding the interests of everyday Americans and citizens globally in our nation's capital.
Following the shooting, the White House was placed under lockdown, with restrictions being lifted around 5 p.m., as reported by ABC.
The incident occurred amid the deployment of thousands of troops in Washington. This measure has been part of President Donald Trump’s strategy to address crime in the capital for several months. In a video statement from Palm Beach, Fla., Trump asserted that the Department of Homeland Security “is confident” the suspect entered the country from Afghanistan in 2021.
Trump condemned the attack as a “heinous assault” and an “act of terror,” asserting that the suspect will pay the “steepest possible price.” He expressed disapproval of the Biden administration’s approach to immigration, alleging that it allowed “20 million unknown and unvetted foreigners” into the country, claims that lack backing from federal data.
The president announced that he has directed the Pentagon to deploy an extra 500 National Guard troops to Washington following the shooting incident. Earlier in the day, he described the suspect as an “animal” in a social media post and indicated that additional troop deployments could be on the horizon.
Federal authorities have yet to reveal the reasoning behind the attack.
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