The suspect in the Washington, D.C. attack that left two West Virginia National Guard members critically wounded has a paper trail tied to the Biden era evacuation from Afghanistan, and that connection is raising hard questions about border, visa and vetting policies. Officials say the ambush happened just blocks from the White House, the assailant reportedly shouted “Allahu akbar!” and authorities have identified him as an Afghan national who arrived during Operation Allies Welcome. Reporting suggests his authorization to remain in the United States may have lapsed, and critics argue the administration’s handling of the withdrawal and resettlement programs bears responsibility.
Investigators describe the incident as a targeted ambush occurring around 2:15 pm near 17th and I Street NW, and it’s now a major law enforcement matter in the nation’s capital. Two National Guard members were transported to the hospital in critical condition, and the quick actions of fellow Guardsmen ended the threat at the scene. The tight proximity to the White House makes this especially alarming for anyone following security in Washington.
At a press briefing, D.C. Metro Police described how the suspect approached and opened fire on the guardsmen while they were doing high visibility patrols. The scene that unfolded shows both the danger of lone attackers and the reliance on first responders and service members to stop attacks quickly. Republicans and national security hawks are pointing to how the suspect got into the country and why he remained free to strike.
The suspect has been named as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who arrived in the United States in September 2021 amid the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. Multiple federal sources say he entered as part of the evacuation and resettlement operations undertaken at that time. If his permission to stay expired in September of this year, as some reports indicate, that raises immediate questions about tracking, immigration enforcement, and who bears the policy responsibility.
Eyewitnesses and law enforcement say the attacker allegedly yelled, “Allahu akbar!” during the assault, a detail that significantly shapes public perception and the political response. That phrase has been associated with past jihadist attacks, and Republicans are emphasizing the need to consider ideological motive as part of the investigation. The administration’s defenders will insist on due process, but many voters want answers about how someone linked to those evacuation programs could be in this situation.
Law enforcement sources described the exchange of force at the scene, noting that one National Guardsman, unarmed, used a pocketknife to respond while another returned fire. “A National Guardsman, who was not armed with a firearm, used a pocket knife to stab the suspect. Another Guardsman responded to the gunfire and shot the suspect multiple times,” one account stated. That chaotic response highlights the courage of service members and the unpredictable nature of close-quarters attacks in urban environments.
LE source in D.C. tells me the National Guardsmen shooting suspect is an Afghan national who used a revolver.
A National Guardsman, who was not armed with a firearm, used a pocket knife to stab the suspect. Another Guardsman responded to the gunfire and shot the suspect multiple times.
The suspect reportedly shouted, “Allahu akbar!”
There are conflicting details about the exact visa category the suspect used to enter and whether he overstayed. Some reporting ties his arrival to Operation Allies Welcome, while other accounts seek to clarify whether his status formally expired or if there were administrative oversights. That ambiguity fuels the political debate: Republicans say this is an example of lax oversight, while others urge patience until full facts are available.
Fox News congressional reporting has echoed the basic outline that he arrived in early September 2021 with evacuees from Afghanistan and that his permission to remain may have lapsed in September 2025. “Per multiple federal law enforcement sources, the suspect in custody for the shooting of two National Guard soldiers in DC is an Afghan national who entered the U.S. on 9/8/2021 as part of the Biden admin’s Operation Allies Welcome in the aftermath of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan,” one report stated. Those dates link directly back to policies enacted during the withdrawal and set off fresh calls for accountability.
BREAKING: Per multiple federal law enforcement sources, the suspect in custody for the shooting of two National Guard soldiers in DC is an Afghan national who entered the U.S. on 9/8/2021 as part of the Biden admin’s Operation Allies Welcome in the aftermath of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
I’m told his permission to be in the U.S. expired in September of this year, and he is now in the country illegally.
I have a name and DOB – but am waiting for further confirmation.
This incident is still unfolding and will be the subject of criminal investigation, congressional scrutiny, and policy debates about the evacuation not long ago from Afghanistan. The mix of immediate tactical response, reported shouted slogans, and the possible lapse in immigration status combine to make this not only a criminal case but also a political flashpoint. Expect more details to emerge as investigators and lawmakers press for records and timelines tied to the suspect’s arrival and status.
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