National Guard shooter is identified as Afghan national after blasting two soldiers in DC, triggering White House lockdown - as police probe 'terror' links

Afghan national who came to US during botched 2021 withdrawal is named as suspect who shot two National Guard soldiers in the head in DC - as FBI probe 'terror' links - THE U.S. BROUGHT THIS SHITBAG HERE!

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a brazen daylight attack that sent shockwaves through the nation's capital on the eve of Thanksgiving, a 29-year-old Afghan national has been identified as the suspect who allegedly ambushed and critically wounded two uniformed National Guard members near the White House, prompting a full lockdown of the executive mansion and sparking a frantic federal investigation into possible terrorism links.

The incident unfolded around 2:15 p.m. ET Wednesday near the bustling Farragut West Metro station, just two blocks north of the White House in Northwest Washington. Eyewitnesses described a scene of pandemonium as gunfire erupted on a busy sidewalk, shattering the midday calm and forcing tourists and commuters to dive for cover amid shattering glass and cries for help.

The victims, both members of the West Virginia National Guard, were identified by authorities as part of a routine security detail in the area. Law enforcement sources described the assault as a deliberate "ambush," with the shooter emerging from around a corner, raising a handgun, and firing multiple shots at point-blank range. Both soldiers suffered severe head wounds and were rushed to a nearby hospital, where they underwent emergency surgery. As of late Wednesday evening, the pair remained in critical condition, with one reportedly succumbing to injuries according to preliminary reports from state officials—though federal authorities have yet to confirm the fatalities.

The suspect, named Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was swiftly apprehended at the scene after a brief exchange of gunfire with responding officers. Sources told multiple outlets that Lakanwal, who entered the United States in 2021 under the Operation Allies Welcome program for Afghan evacuees following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, was shot four times during the confrontation and is now in custody, receiving medical treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. He had reportedly overstayed his visa, raising immediate questions about his immigration status and potential radicalization during his time in the country.

"This was a targeted attack on our brave service members, and we're leaving no stone unturned," Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said in a somber press conference outside the secured perimeter. Assistant Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department echoed the sentiment, calling the footage from the scene "harrowing" and confirming it appeared to show a "lone gunman" acting without accomplices. No motive has been publicly disclosed, but the FBI has launched a full-scale probe, initially classifying the shooting as a possible act of terrorism with international implications.

Senior law enforcement officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed to NBC News and CBS News that investigators are scouring Lakanwal's background for ties to extremist networks, both domestic and abroad. The involvement of the Department of Homeland Security, ATF, U.S. Marshals, and Secret Service underscores the gravity of the inquiry, with early leads pointing to potential online radicalization or grudges stemming from the chaotic U.S. exit from Kabul four years prior.

The attack's proximity to the White House—mere blocks from Lafayette Square—triggered an immediate lockdown of the executive complex, evacuating staff and sealing off access roads as helicopters buzzed overhead and ground stops were imposed at Reagan National Airport for safety. President Donald Trump, who was in Florida for the holiday, was briefed on the developments and issued a fiery statement from Mar-a-Lago, branding the alleged perpetrator an "animal" who would "pay a very steep price." Trump praised the National Guard's resilience, adding, "Our heroes in uniform will not be intimidated by cowards like this."

Vice President JD Vance, addressing troops at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, during a pre-Thanksgiving meal service, paused his remarks to call for prayers for the wounded guardsmen. "No motive is yet known, but we stand united against anyone who dares to strike at our protectors," Vance said, his voice steady amid a crowd of solemn soldiers.

The shooting has ignited a firestorm of reactions across the political spectrum. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) expressed heartbreak on social media, urging prayers for the victims' families, while West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey mobilized state resources and vowed a thorough review of Guard deployments in high-risk areas. On the right, figures like Sen. Chris Rose (R-W.Va.) decried the incident as a stark reminder of "open borders" vulnerabilities, though officials cautioned against premature speculation.

Social media footage circulating online captured the raw chaos: first responders performing CPR on bloodied pavement, shattered glass littering the scene, and National Guard reinforcements securing the cordon as federal agents swarmed in. One viral clip, viewed hundreds of thousands of times, showed a helicopter airlifting one victim across the National Mall, underscoring the rapid escalation.

17GEN4.com