DC shooting: Afghan-origin gunman identified in attack that left 2 Guardsmen critical; Trump calls it ‘act of terror’

Investigators have identified a 29-year-old Afghan national as the suspect behind the shooting that critically injured two National Guard members in a high-security area near the White House.

The attack, which unfolded on Wednesday afternoon, triggered lockdowns across central Washington and has now been called an ‘act of terror’ by US President Donald Trump.

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Suspect identified as Afghan national who entered US in 2021

According to officials familiar with the case, the alleged shooter has been identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who arrived in the United States in 2021. While authorities have verified his identity, a detailed assessment of his background and possible motivations is still underway.

Law enforcement sources told CBS News that investigators are continuing to validate parts of his history. For now, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other agencies have not confirmed any ideological motive.

How the attack unfolded near the White House

The shooting occurred close to 17th Street and I Street NW, an area that sits within walking distance of several major federal buildings. At the time, National Guard personnel were carrying out “high-visibility patrols” when a man reportedly stepped out from behind a corner, raised a handgun and opened fire on two Guardsmen.

Other Guard members stationed nearby immediately returned fire, prompting a rapid federal-security response. Several government offices, including parts of the White House complex, were placed under precautionary lockdown as officials swept the area to rule out additional threats.

Also Read: Two National Guard personnel shot on Thanksgiving Eve in Washington

Injured Guardsmen remain in critical condition

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser and FBI Director Kash Patel said the two wounded soldiers remain in critical condition at a DC hospital.

President Donald Trump later confirmed that the suspect was also seriously injured in the exchange.

The FBI has categorised the incident as an assault on federal officers, triggering a terrorism-related investigation.

Confusion over early reports from West Virginia

Initial updates from West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, whose state had deployed the two Guardsmen to Washington, incorrectly suggested the soldiers had died. Morrisey later issued a revised statement acknowledging “conflicting reports”, and officials have asked the public to await formal updates.

The names of the Guardsmen have not been released.

Trump’s response: ‘An act of evil… an act of terror’

Addressing the nation later on Wednesday, President Trump condemned the shooting in strong terms, calling it: “An act of evil and an act of hatred, and an act of terror. It was a crime against our entire nation. It was a crime against humanity.”

He said the suspect in custody was a “foreigner who entered our country from Afghanistan, a hellhole on earth,” and blamed the previous Biden administration for admitting him as a refugee.

Trump also announced plans to reassess the immigration records of Afghans who entered the US under the former administration.

“We must now re-examine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan under Biden… if they can’t love our country, we don’t want them,” he said.

500 additional troops ordered for Washington

In response to the heightened alert, Trump authorised the deployment of 500 more National Guard personnel to strengthen security across the capital.

The attack site was less than 500 metres from the White House, raising concerns about the vulnerability of patrol units in a high-security zone.

Washington currently has around 2,400 National Guard troops deployed – approximately 950 from the DC National Guard and another 1,300 from eight other states. These deployments have expanded under the Trump administration’s broader public-safety operations.

Earlier in the day, Trump posted on X: “The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen… will pay a very steep price. God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement.”

FBI: Federal prosecution likely

FBI Director Patel said the case will be prosecuted at the federal level, given that the victims were uniformed federal officers on official duty.

Mayor Bowser described the incident as a “targeted shooting”.

With the investigation still active, officials say they are working to stabilise the injured soldiers and verify the suspect’s background. More details are expected as agencies process evidence gathered from the scene and interview responding personnel.