Attack on West Virginia National Guard Members in Washington, DC: Analysis of Suspect's Unconfirmed CIA Ties, Immigration Suspension

Rahmanullah Lakanwal’s entry into the United States occurred during the evacuation efforts following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021.

NORTH AMERICA — Two members of the West Virginia National Guard, identified as Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, were critically injured in a targeted shooting near the White House on November 26. Update: Sarah Beckstrom has passed away.

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The incident occurred at approximately 2:15 p.m. local time at the corner of 17th and I streets NW, close to the Farragut West Metro station. Law enforcement responded swiftly, engaging the suspect who was subsequently wounded and taken into custody.

Officials from the Metropolitan Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security described the event as an isolated attack, with no immediate indications of broader threats to public safety.

The guardsmen, deployed to the capital as part of federal security operations, were transported to a local hospital where they remain in critical but stable condition following surgery as of November 28.

The suspect, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, entered the United States on September 8, 2021, under Operation Allies Welcome, a program established to resettle Afghan evacuees following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Lakanwal applied for asylum in 2024, which was granted in April 2025. Prior to the incident, his last known location was in Bellingham, Washington, and he reportedly drove across the country to carry out the attack.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is leading the inquiry, treating the case as a potential act of terrorism, though the motive remains undetermined. Biometric and background checks conducted during his entry aligned with the protocols in place at the time, but no further details on his activities or affiliations post-entry have been released by federal agencies.

In response to the shooting, President Trump directed the Department of War to deploy an additional 500 National Guard troops to Washington, DC, to enhance security measures.

The administration also suspended all immigration applications from Afghan nationals effective immediately. The District of Columbia was briefly placed under heightened alert, with temporary lockdowns affecting nearby government buildings, though these were lifted by late afternoon.

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey initially reported conflicting information on the guardsmen’s condition but later clarified they were alive and receiving treatment.

The deployment of National Guard forces in the capital, initiated earlier in the year to support law enforcement, has been a point of ongoing federal oversight. Leading figures from both major political parties expressed condemnation of the attack and support for the affected service members, reflecting a bipartisan stance on the incident.

Background on the Perpetrator

Rahmanullah Lakanwal’s entry into the United States occurred during the evacuation efforts following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021.

As part of Operation Allies Welcome, coordinated by the Department of Homeland Security, he underwent initial screening processes including biometric data collection and background checks.

Washington (Sept. 3, 2021) Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas conducts a press conference to provide updates on Operation Allies

This program facilitated the resettlement of approximately 90,000 Afghan nationals, many of whom had collaborated with U.S. forces or were at risk due to their associations.