Afghan Refugee Accused in D.C. National Guard Shooting Ambush/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ An Afghan man who once worked with the CIA was charged in the ambush shooting of two National Guard members near the White House. The suspect reportedly drove cross-country from Washington state to carry out the attack in D.C. Authorities are investigating the shooting as a potential act of terrorism amid growing political scrutiny.
D.C. Guard Ambush Quick Looks
- Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, charged in D.C. ambush shooting.
- Victims: Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, both in critical condition.
- Shooting took place two blocks from the White House, near a metro station.
- Suspect reportedly drove from Washington state to carry out the attack.
- Lakanwal entered U.S. in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome.
- Formerly worked with CIA-linked Afghan military unit, Zero Unit.
- Officials say motive still unclear, but FBI treating case as terror investigation.
- Trump called for review of all Afghan refugee vetting.
- Shooting reignites political debate over refugee admissions and National Guard deployments.
- National Guard troops held suspect down after shootout; suspect also hospitalized.
Afghan Refugee Accused in D.C. National Guard Shooting Ambush
Deep Look
WASHINGTON — U.S. officials have charged Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, with attempted murder after he allegedly carried out a violent ambush against two National Guard members deployed in Washington, D.C., just two blocks from the White House. The attack, which occurred Wednesday, is being investigated as a possible act of terrorism.
The suspect, who entered the U.S. through the Operation Allies Welcome program in 2021, reportedly drove from Bellingham, Washington, across the country to carry out the assault. Authorities say he used a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver to shoot the guards in what officials described as an “ambush-style” attack near a D.C. metro station.
The victims have been identified as Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, both of the West Virginia National Guard. Both remain hospitalized in critical condition.
Suspect Has CIA Ties From Afghan War
Lakanwal’s background includes working with a CIA-backed Afghan special forces unit, known as Zero Unit, during the war in Afghanistan. According to a cousin who spoke anonymously to the Associated Press, Lakanwal served in Kandahar starting as a security guard before becoming a GPS specialist and team leader.
His cousin said both he and his brother relocated to the U.S. in 2021 following the fall of Kabul and the U.S. withdrawal. Lakanwal settled in Bellingham, WA, with his wife and five children. A former landlord confirmed his recent residence.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe acknowledged that Lakanwal had previously worked alongside the agency but said that relationship ended shortly after the chaotic U.S. evacuation from Afghanistan.
Political Fallout and Public Safety Concerns
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced the charges, stating that Lakanwal is currently facing assault with intent to kill while armed and firearms charges, though she noted more severe charges could follow if either Guard member dies. “We are praying they survive,” she said, “but we will pursue the highest charges possible.”
The FBI, led by Director Kash Patel, is handling the investigation and has labeled it a terror probe, with multiple search warrants being executed across state lines. Patel referred to the effort as a “coast-to-coast” investigation.
Trump Responds, Demands Refugee Revetting
The attack comes amid heightened political tension surrounding the Trump administration’s use of the military in domestic security roles. Within hours of the shooting, President Donald Trump released a statement calling the act a “crime against our entire nation” and renewed his call for the review of all Afghan refugees admitted under the Biden-era program.
“If they can’t love our country, we don’t want them,” Trump said in a video posted to social media. His administration subsequently ordered 500 additional National Guard troops to D.C. following the incident.
The Operation Allies Welcome program, initiated by President Joe Biden, resettled roughly 76,000 Afghans, many of whom worked alongside U.S. troops and agencies. The program has faced increasing criticism from Trump, Republicans, and conservative watchdog groups who allege that vetting processes were insufficient.
Officials Describe the Scene
The attack occurred just before the Thanksgiving holiday and caught officials by surprise. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots near a metro station close to the White House.
Patrick Carroll, a federal security spokesperson, said nearby troops responded immediately after hearing gunfire. “It appears to be a lone gunman who ambushed the Guard members,” Carroll said. He added that one of the troops returned fire, and that both the shooter and soldiers were injured in the exchange.
Mayor Muriel Bowser said the shooting represented an attack not just on military personnel but on the United States as a whole.
“Somebody drove across the country and came to Washington, D.C., to attack America,” Bowser said. “That person will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
Troops Hailed as Heroes
Eyewitness videos posted to social media captured the chaotic aftermath, with first responders administering CPR to one of the wounded Guards and treating the other nearby. Broken glass was visible across the sidewalk, and bystanders were ushered away by police.
Law enforcement confirmed that Lakanwal was also shot, though his injuries are non-life-threatening. He remains in custody.
Pirro emphasized the dedication of the injured troops. “They are among the very best our country has to offer. We will stand by them and their families.”
What’s Next
As the investigation unfolds, political and national security questions loom large. The case is likely to become a focal point in the broader debate about refugee vetting, immigration policy, and domestic troop deployments under the Trump administration.
Meanwhile, the condition of the wounded Guards remains critical, and law enforcement continues to work around the clock to determine if Lakanwal acted alone or had help. So far, no additional suspects have been identified.
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