Authorities have identified the man accused of shooting two West Virginia National Guard members in downtown Washington, D.C., an attack that has sparked national outrage, political tension, and a renewed debate over security vetting procedures for Afghan refugees brought to the United States after the fall of Kabul.
The shooting occurred Wednesday afternoon in Farragut Square, just blocks from the White House, where thousands of National Guard troops have been stationed throughout the holiday season. Officials say the gunman approached three guardsmen before opening fire, critically injuring two. A third member of the Guard returned fire, striking the suspect, who was quickly taken into custody and transported to a nearby hospital.
President Donald Trump, speaking from Florida, condemned the attack with unusually forceful language, calling it “an act of evil” and “an act of terror.” He promised swift justice and announced new security measures targeting Afghan nationals who arrived under the Biden administration’s Operation Allies Welcome program.
What Authorities Know So Far
D.C. police identified the shooter as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021 as part of the mass resettlement effort following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. More than 76,000 Afghans were relocated through the program, which was designed to protect interpreters, allies, journalists and activists at risk under Taliban rule.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that Lakanwal had been “mass paroled” into the country and emphasized that he appeared to have acted alone. Her remarks sparked immediate political reaction, especially from critics who have long questioned the program’s vetting procedures.
Trump and Federal Response
In a video statement released shortly after the shooting, Trump vowed to impose the “harshest possible penalty” on the perpetrator and announced an immediate review of all Afghan entrants who arrived during the 2021 airlift. Following the attack, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services confirmed a temporary freeze on new Afghan immigration requests until the administration completes its reassessment of background checks and security screening systems.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also revealed that an additional 500 National Guard members will be dispatched to Washington, D.C., to reinforce security during the holiday period.
A Divided National Reaction
Public reaction to the incident has ranged from sorrow to fierce policy debate. Leaders across the political spectrum have condemned the attack while urging caution in how the nation responds to a single act of violence.
Former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden offered messages of sympathy and unity, expressing heartbreak for the families of the injured guardsmen and calling for Americans to stand together against violence.
Advocacy groups involved in Afghan resettlement efforts also weighed in. Shawn VanDiver, president of #AfghanEvac, warned against condemning an entire refugee community based on the actions of one individual. His statement urged the public to remember that thousands of Afghan allies risked their lives to support U.S. missions and should not be targeted by political backlash.
A Moment That Extends Beyond Politics
While the shooting immediately ignited political controversy, it has also prompted broader reflection on the delicate balance between national security and humanitarian responsibility. The suspect’s connection to a program built on protecting vulnerable families now raises difficult questions about how the country can remain both safe and compassionate.
General Steven Nordhaus, head of the National Guard, emphasized the human toll of the attack as he announced his return to Washington.
“Our hearts are with our wounded service members and their families,” he said. “Their courage reminds us that every person who puts on the uniform carries the weight of protecting our nation.”
As investigations continue and the political debate intensifies, one truth remains unchanged: violence reverberates far beyond the moment it occurs, testing not only security policies but the very principles that define a nation.