Afghan National Suspect in Shooting of National Guard Members near White House
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, has been identified as the suspect in the shooting of two National Guard members near the White House. The incident, which happened just blocks away from the White House on the day before Thanksgiving, has left both Guard members in critical condition. The shooting is being investigated as a possible act of international terrorism.
Background and Context
Lakanwal is no stranger to the U.S. government. He previously worked with American forces in Afghanistan and was admitted to the U.S. in September 2021 under an Operation Allies Welcome program. This program, initiated under the Biden administration, issued entry visas to Afghans who had worked for the U.S. government, particularly those who had collaborated with the CIA and U.S. military during the war in Afghanistan.
Lakanwal served in NDS-03, an elite CIA counterterrorism unit, operating in Afghanistan's southern region, including in Kandahar, Helmand, and Uruzgan. These units were known for their brutality and were even labeled as 'death squads' by human rights groups.
Key Developments
Lakanwal, who had been living in Washington State since his arrival in the U.S., reportedly drove across the country to carry out the act of violence. The two victims of the shooting, Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24, were both members of the West Virginia National Guard. They had been sworn in less than 24 hours before the shooting.
Despite the suspect's ties to the U.S. government, Lakanwal had no known criminal history before the shooting, according to a federal law enforcement dossier.
Reactions and Implications
The incident has sparked heated debates about immigration and asylum policies. President Trump, in response to the incident, has called for a reexamination of every Afghan immigrant's status, leading to a halt of all immigration processing related to Afghan citizens. The Trump administration also ordered 500 more troops to be sent to DC.
On the other hand, critics argue that the incident should not be viewed as a reflection of all Afghan immigrants, many of whom worked alongside U.S. forces and lost their homes in the process.
Conclusion
As of now, the motives behind the attack remain unknown. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are seeking to understand how Lakanwal, an Afghan national who once collaborated with U.S. forces, came to be the suspect in such a severe act of violence on American soil. The incident has not only led to profound grief for the victims' families but also ignited a nationwide debate on immigration policies and national security.