Afghan National Suspect in Deadly White House Area Shooting of National Guard Members, FBI Investigates Terrorism Link
Two West Virginia National Guard members died after being shot near the White House by Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national. The FBI is investigating the incident as a potential act of terrorism.
Western JournalAfghan National Guard Shooter Entered US Under Biden Immigration Program in 2021 During Afghan Withdrawal: Report
CBS News2 National Guard members shot in Washington, D.C.; suspect in custody, identified as 29-year-old Afghan national, sources say
The GuardianPolice identify suspect in national guard shooting as Afghan man
Daily BeastNational Guard Shooting Suspect Identified as 29-Year-Old
Overview
Two West Virginia National Guard members were shot and later died from their injuries near the White House in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday afternoon.
The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, was apprehended after being shot during a gunfire exchange and is now in custody with non-life-threatening injuries.
Lakanwal allegedly entered the U.S. in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome and is believed to be in the country illegally, having previously resided in Washington state.
The FBI and Justice Department are investigating the ambush-style shooting as a potential act of international terrorism, probing if the Guardsmen were specifically targeted.
The incident occurred amidst President Trump's deployment of thousands of National Guard troops to D.C. to combat crime, a move facing ongoing legal and political challenges.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by emphasizing the suspect's identity as an "Afghan national" and the investigation into a "possible act of terrorism." They highlight his illegal immigration status, presenting it immediately after noting his entry on a special visa, which collectively shapes a narrative connecting the suspect's background and immigration status to the severity of the attack.