Breaking Details of the Attack
Ambush-Style Shooting at Farragut West Metro Station
Two West Virginia National Guard members remain in critical condition following an ambush-style attack near the Farragut West Metro Station in Washington, D.C., just blocks from the White House on November 26, 2025. The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, allegedly fired 10-15 shots at the uniformed soldiers in what authorities are describing as a targeted assault on military personnel.
Metropolitan Police Department Chief Jeff Carroll confirmed that one female National Guard member was shot in the chest and then in the head as she lay on the ground. Officers engaged the suspect, who was shot four times during the confrontation and taken into custody. The violence unfolded in a busy area typically crowded with commuters and tourists, sending shockwaves through the nation's capital.
Victims' Current Condition and Emergency Response
Both victims were airlifted by U.S. Park Police helicopter to local trauma centers, where they underwent emergency surgery. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey initially announced the soldiers had died from their injuries, but later retracted the statement after confirming they remained alive in critical condition. The deployment of National Guard troops to Washington has intensified since President Trump federalized DC security operations in August 2025, adding hundreds of additional military personnel to patrol the city.
Who Is Rahmanullah Lakanwal?
Background and Entry Through Operation Allies Welcome
Rahmanullah Lakanwal entered the United States in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, the massive evacuation and resettlement program established during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. The program brought approximately 76,000 Afghan evacuees to America, including individuals who worked with U.S. forces and their families. Law enforcement sources indicate Lakanwal underwent the standard vetting process required for all refugees before being granted entry to the country.
Bellingham, Washington Residence
Investigators have identified Bellingham, Washington, as Lakanwal's most recent place of residence. Federal agents are currently executing search warrants at his known addresses and interviewing associates to piece together his movements in the days leading up to the attack. The FBI is working to determine whether Lakanwal had any connections to extremist groups or received external direction for the assault.
FBI Terrorism Investigation Underway
Motive Remains Unclear
The FBI has opened a terrorism investigation into the shooting, though officials emphasize that the motive remains under investigation. Special agents are analyzing Lakanwal's digital footprint, including social media accounts, communications, and financial records. Authorities have not yet determined whether the attack was ideologically motivated, personally driven, or connected to broader terrorist networks. The timing and location of the assault—targeting uniformed military personnel near prominent government buildings—has raised significant security concerns among federal law enforcement agencies.
Multi-Agency Response Coordination
The investigation involves coordination between the FBI, Metropolitan Police Department, U.S. Park Police, Secret Service, and military intelligence agencies. Joint Task Force DC, which oversees National Guard operations in the capital, issued a statement confirming full cooperation with the criminal investigation. President Trump ordered an additional 500 National Guard troops deployed to Washington following the attack, reinforcing security at key locations throughout the district.
Context: Trump's National Guard Deployment to DC
August 2025 Federal Takeover of Capital Security
The shooting occurred against the backdrop of ongoing tensions over federal control of Washington's security apparatus. In August 2025, President Trump federalized the DC National Guard and deployed additional troops over objections from local officials. The controversial move placed hundreds of military personnel on city streets in what the administration described as necessary crime prevention measures.
President Orders 500 Additional Troops After Attack
Following Tuesday's assault, Trump announced the immediate deployment of 500 additional National Guard members to bolster security at Metro stations, federal buildings, and tourist areas. The expanded military presence has reignited debates about the appropriate role of armed forces in domestic law enforcement and the balance between security needs and civil liberties in the nation's capital.
Critics argue that the militarization of Washington has created new vulnerabilities by placing uniformed service members in exposed positions throughout the city. Supporters contend the visible military presence deters crime and provides rapid response capabilities that civilian police cannot match. The attack on two soldiers has intensified both sides of this ongoing debate as the investigation continues.
Read More:
0 Comments