A man suspected of shooting two National Guard soldiers near the White House was an Afghan national who had served alongside American troops in Afghanistan, U.S. media reported on Wednesday (November 26, 2025), as Washington labelled the incident an “act of terror.”
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, opened fire and wounded the soldiers on patrol on Wednesday (November 26, 2025) afternoon, before he was shot and hospitalised, The New York Times, CBS, NBC and others reported.
Without naming him, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on social media that the suspect “was one of the many unvetted, mass paroled into the United States under Operation Allies Welcome”.
Trump administration orders 500 more National Guard troops to DC after shooting of soldiers
The program, launched by former President Joe Biden, offered vulnerable Afghans, including those who served alongside US forces, the chance to resettle in the United States after the return of the Taliban government.
