Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the Afghan man accused of shooting two National Guard members near the White House, previously worked with the CIA in Afghanistan before arriving in the US four years ago.
He allegedly targeted and shot West Virginia Guardsmen Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe in an ambush-style attack, leaving both in critical condition. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said authorities are praying the victims survive as the suspect faces multiple counts of assault with intent to kill.
Lakanwal entered the US in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, a programme created after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan to resettle vulnerable Afghans. Officials confirmed he had served with partner forces, including the CIA-linked Kandahar Strike Force, and later applied for and received asylum in 2024.
After driving from Washington state to Washington DC, he was shot and detained by other Guardsmen at the scene. The incident has prompted the Trump administration to suspend Afghan immigration requests and order a broad review of green card holders from countries of concern. Authorities are also reassessing Lakanwal’s vetting process as additional National Guard troops are deployed to the capital.
The National Guardsmen who were shot