Two National Guard Members Shot in Washington D.C.; Suspect Details Emerge
Two West Virginia National Guard members were shot while on patrol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday afternoon. Both individuals remain in critical condition following the incident, which occurred blocks from the White House.
Suspect Information
CIA Director John Ratcliffe stated on Thursday that the alleged shooter, identified as Rahmanullah Lakamal, entered the U.S. from Afghanistan in 2021. According to Ratcliffe, Lakamal was admitted due to his "prior work with the U.S. Government, including CIA," as a member of a partner force in Kandahar. Ratcliffe issued a statement criticizing the admission, asserting the individual "should have never been allowed to come here" and that citizens and servicemembers "deserve far better than to endure the ongoing fallout from the Biden Administration's catastrophic failures."
The Department of Homeland Security identified Lakamal and indicated he arrived under Operation Allies Welcome, a Biden administration program that facilitated the entry of thousands of Afghans following the Taliban's 2021 takeover. Participants in this program were granted two-year parole and were required to apply for permanent legal status.
Approximately 200,000 Afghan immigrants and refugees entered the U.S. after August 2021. While some have obtained green cards or citizenship, many retain humanitarian parole status. The motive for the shooting has not been released.
The Incident
The shooting took place around 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday. Jeffrey Carroll, Executive Assistant Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, reported that the gunman approached the Guard members and opened fire. The gunman was subsequently subdued and shot by nearby Guard members, then taken into custody. It was not immediately clear who shot the gunman.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser described the event as a "targeted" attack.
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed Thursday that both Guard members underwent surgery. She identified one as a young woman who had volunteered for deployment during the Thanksgiving holiday, and the other as male, stating both were "fighting for their lives."
President Trump stated on Truth Social that the shooter was "severely wounded" and would "pay a very steep price." President Trump was in Florida at the time of the incident.
President Trump later described the attack as an "act of terror" in a video address, reiterating calls for re-examining immigration protocols. He stated, "We must now re-examine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan under Biden and we must take all necessary measures to ensure the removal of any alien from any country who does not belong here or add benefit to our country."
Immigration Policy Adjustments
Following the shooting, U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services announced a halt to processing immigration applications from Afghan nationals, citing a "pending further review of security and vetting protocols." This action is anticipated to impact Afghans who previously worked with the U.S. government or NATO forces in Afghanistan, many of whom have faced uncertain legal status after earlier immigration restrictions.
Legal Proceedings and Troop Deployments
Attorney General Bondi indicated that charges against the shooter could include "life in prison with terrorism charges," depending on the condition of the Guard members. The investigation remains active.
President Trump announced an order for an additional 500 National Guard troops to be deployed to Washington, D.C., a request confirmed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Over 2,000 Guard troops from various states, including West Virginia, have been stationed in D.C. since August. This deployment was initiated by President Trump due to concerns regarding the city's crime rate.
This deployment is part of a series of National Guard deployments to various U.S. cities, often without the consent of local governors. In D.C., the President holds specific authority for such deployments due to the city's unique relationship with the federal government.
These deployments have been subject to legal challenges. Federal judges intervened to block deployments in cities like Portland, Ore., and Chicago. Last week, a federal judge ruled that the D.C. troop deployment was unlawful and ordered its cessation. However, the preliminary injunction was not immediately effective to allow for an appeal by the Trump administration.