Afghan National Identified as Suspected Shooter
Twenty-nine-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who once collaborated with U.S. intelligence operations in Afghanistan, has been identified as the suspect in the November 27 shooting that killed one National Guard member and critically wounded another near the White House. The attack has raised urgent questions about vetting procedures for Afghan refugees and asylum seekers who previously worked alongside American forces.
From Kandahar Strike Force to U.S. Asylum
Lakanwal served with the CIA's elite Kandahar Strike Force Unit 03, a counterterrorism unit that operated during the chaotic final years of the U.S. presence in Afghanistan, according to relatives who confirmed his collaboration with American intelligence services. After the Taliban's return to power in 2021, he fled the country and eventually made his way to the United States, where he applied for asylum in 2024.
His application was still pending at the time of the attack, leaving investigators scrambling to understand how someone with access to sensitive military operations could transition from ally to alleged attacker. The FBI has launched a comprehensive investigation into his motives and potential radicalization after arriving on U.S. soil.
Timeline of Rahmanullah Lakanwal's Journey to America
Lakanwal's path from Afghanistan to Washington, D.C. mirrors that of thousands of other Afghan nationals who assisted U.S. forces and sought refuge after the withdrawal. He arrived in the United States through humanitarian parole channels designed to protect at-risk allies, but the extended processing time for his asylum claim meant he remained in legal limbo for over a year. Authorities are now reviewing his activities, contacts, and movements during this period to determine whether warning signs were missed.
The Attack: What Happened Near the White House
The ambush unfolded shortly after 5:30 a.m. on November 27 as National Guard members stood watch near a security checkpoint. President Trump had recently ordered expanded Guard deployments throughout the capital as part of heightened security measures.
Tactical Breakdown of the Ambush
Lakanwal approached the checkpoint armed with a handgun containing four rounds and immediately opened fire on the unsuspecting service members. After expending his initial ammunition, he seized one of the victim's weapons and continued shooting, demonstrating what authorities described as premeditated tactical planning during the assault. The calculated nature of the attack—targeting uniformed military personnel at a vulnerable moment—has led federal prosecutors to consider terrorism-related charges.
How Guard Members Subdued the Shooter
Fellow Guard members on duty responded within seconds, rushing toward the gunfire and engaging the suspect in a brief but intense confrontation. Using coordinated tactics, they successfully subdued Lakanwal before he could inflict further casualties or flee the scene. Their rapid response prevented what could have escalated into a mass casualty event in one of the most secure areas of the nation's capital.
Victims and Response
Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, just 20 years old, succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, was rushed to a nearby trauma center, where he remains in critical condition, fighting for his life.
Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom Dies, Andrew Wolfe Critical
Beckstrom, from rural Idaho, had joined the Guard to serve her country while pursuing a college degree in nursing. Her family described her as dedicated and patriotic, with dreams of becoming a military physician. Wolfe, a decorated airman from Ohio, had served two overseas deployments before being assigned to the National Guard deployment in Washington, D.C. The Guard community has rallied around both families, establishing support funds and memorial services.
Trump Orders 500 Additional Guard Troops Deployed
Within hours of the attack, President Trump directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to deploy an additional 500 National Guard personnel to secure federal facilities and critical infrastructure throughout the Washington metropolitan area. The President stated that the attack represented a "complete failure" of asylum vetting processes and vowed to implement immediate reforms to immigration screening procedures.
Criminal Charges and Potential Death Penalty
Federal prosecutors are building a comprehensive case against Lakanwal that extends far beyond simple assault charges.
Federal Terrorism Charges Under Consideration
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced that her office is actively pursuing charges under federal terrorism statutes, citing the deliberate targeting of military personnel and the calculated nature of the ambush. The Justice Department is examining whether Lakanwal had connections to terrorist organizations or received external support in planning the deadly assault, though no direct links have been confirmed publicly.
Attorney General Bondi's Death Penalty Pursuit
Attorney General Pam Bondi released a statement declaring her intent to seek the death penalty in this case, calling the attack "an act of war against American service members on our own soil." The capital punishment authorization reflects the administration's hardline approach to violence targeting military personnel and comes amid broader debates about immigration policy and national security screening.
Questions About Vetting and National Security
The attack has ignited fierce debate in Congress about the Special Immigrant Visa and asylum programs that brought tens of thousands of Afghans to the United States following the 2021 withdrawal. Critics argue that rushed processing and inadequate background checks created security vulnerabilities, while defenders note that the vast majority of Afghan refugees have successfully integrated and pose no threat.
Intelligence officials are conducting a comprehensive review of Lakanwal's asylum application, interviewing processes, and any red flags that may have been overlooked. The case underscores the complex challenge of balancing humanitarian obligations to wartime allies with legitimate security concerns in an era of evolving terrorist threats.
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