Washington DC Shooting
Gunfire near White House: Two National Guard soldiers shot as Afghan national suspect arrested
Two National Guard soldiers were critically injured on Wednesday after they were shot by a gunman, identified as an Afghan national, less than two blocks from the White House, authorities said.
The suspect, described by officials as a lone assailant, was taken into custody after being shot, media reports said.
Critical Incident: MPD is on the scene of a shooting at 17th and I Street, NW. Please avoid the area. Updates to come.
D.C. Police confirmed the arrest in a statement on X, saying the scene had been secured.
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) November 26, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump, who was in Florida at the time, told reporters that the suspect was an Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021.
President Trump described him as "a foreigner who entered our country from Afghanistan, a hellhole on Earth," in a video message late Wednesday, reported CBS News.
CBS News, citing multiple law enforcement sources, identified the suspect as Rahmanullah Lakanwal and reported that he entered the U.S. in 2021.
He was hospitalized after being wounded during the exchange.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on X that the suspect was among those paroled into the United States under Operation Allies Welcome in September 2021.
She said: "The suspect who shot our brave National Guardsmen is an Afghan national who was one of the many unvetted, mass paroled into the United States under Operation Allies Welcome on September 8, 2021, under the Biden Administration."
The FBI said it was assisting local authorities and would release further information as available.
FBI chief Kash Patel said: "FBI is engaged and assisting with the investigation in Washington, D.C. after National Guard members were shot this afternoon. Please pray for them and we will update with more information as we are able."
FBI is engaged and assisting with the investigation in Washington, D.C. after National Guard members were shot this afternoon. Please pray for them and we will update with more information as we are able.
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) November 26, 2025
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser condemned the attack as “horrific and unconscionable,” confirming that the suspect will be prosecuted “to the full extent of the law.”
Today's attack on two members of the West Virginia National Guard was horrific and unconscionable.
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) November 26, 2025
We can confirm that a suspect is in custody for this targeted shooting and will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Our prayers are with the victims and their loved ones.
The motive for the shooting has not been determined.
Approximately 2,200 National Guard personnel are currently deployed in Washington, D.C., as part of recent federal public-safety measures, according to U.S. media reports.
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