Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the 29-year-old Afghan refugee now at the center of a national security storm in the United States, has quickly become one of the most talked-about names in the country following the deadly ambush on two National Guard soldiers near the White House. His background, immigration history, and possible motives are now being dissected by investigators, political leaders, and security agencies as they try to understand what led to one of the most shocking attacks in Washington, D.C. in recent years.
Who is Rahmanullah Lakanwal?
Lakanwal arrived in the United States in 2021 as part of the emergency evacuation and resettlement program launched after the fall of Kabul. According to early reports, he had previously worked with a CIA-backed paramilitary unit in Afghanistan, a detail that has raised serious questions about how he was screened before entering the country. Officials are now re-examining what was known about him at the time of his arrival and whether any potential risks were overlooked during the rushed evacuation process.
The Tragic DC Shooting
The attack on November 26, 2025, took place near the Farragut West metro station, just minutes from the White House, where two West Virginia National Guard members—Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe—were patrolling as part of an ongoing security deployment in Washington, D.C. Investigators say Lakanwal approached them and opened fire with a .357-magnum revolver, striking both soldiers in the head. Witness accounts and surveillance footage suggest the shooting was deliberate, coordinated, and executed with precise intent.
After the ambush, authorities arrested Lakanwal, who had been shot multiple times in the exchange. His residence was quickly searched, and law enforcement reportedly recovered several electronic devices, weapons, and other materials now being analyzed for clues about his motive. The FBI is treating the case as a possible act of terrorism, although officials have not yet confirmed whether he acted alone or had any links to extremist groups.
