On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, two members of the West Virginia National Guard were shot in Washington, D.C., near the White House in what authorities are describing as a targeted attack. The incident occurred just blocks from the presidential residence and intensified ongoing debates surrounding the deployment of National Guard troops in urban areas, particularly amid rising concerns about crime rates.
The FBI Director Kash Patel and Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed that both National Guard members were hospitalized in critical condition following the shooting. This rare act of violence against service members raised alarms, particularly considering its timing just before the Thanksgiving holiday. Law enforcement officials reported that a suspect was shot during the incident and was in custody with non-life-threatening injuries.
The 29-year-old suspect, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is an Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021 as part of Operation Allies Welcome. This initiative aimed to resettle Afghans who assisted U.S. forces and diplomats during their operations in Afghanistan. The program has been scrutinized due to concerns around vetting processes, despite advocates supporting its objectives in protecting individuals from potential Taliban reprisals.
Lakanwal, who had been residing in Washington State with his wife and five children, came under law enforcement scrutiny as authorities worked to confirm his background. In a social media message, former President Donald Trump called for a renewed investigation into all Afghan refugees who entered the United States under the Biden administration, characterizing the shooting as “a crime against our entire nation.”
While the motive for the attack remains unclear, D.C. police reported that the assailant ambushed the National Guard members shortly after turning a corner. This assertion was supported by video evidence reviewed by investigators. Jeffery Carroll, a D.C. police chief assistant, emphasized that there appears to be no other suspects involved in the immediate aftermath of the shooting.
The incident prompted a rapid response from other troops stationed nearby, who intervened by restraining the shooter after he was injured. Eyewitness accounts described chaotic scenes as people fled the area and first responders provided immediate medical attention on the sidewalk.
In the wake of the attack, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey incorrectly announced the deaths of the guard members, later retracting the statement amid conflicting updates regarding their conditions. In response to the violence, the Trump administration ordered the immediate deployment of 500 additional National Guard members to D.C. in an attempt to bolster security measures.
The incident occurred roughly two blocks northwest of the White House, not far from a metro station. The scene was quickly cordoned off, with law enforcement units, including the Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, descending upon the area. Video footage from bystanders documented the chaotic aftermath, showcasing emergency personnel working to save lives amid the holiday season.
Vice President JD Vance remarked on the tragic event during a Thanksgiving message to troops, highlighting the ongoing risks faced by service members. Gen. Steven Nordhaus, the chief of the National Guard Bureau, altered his travel plans to be in D.C. to support the affected guard members. Following the shooting, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll expressed his sorrow for the wounded service members after visiting them in the hospital.
The broader deployment of National Guard troops to urban areas has been a contentious topic, following a series of federal and legal disputes concerning their presence. While an August emergency order by Trump facilitating their deployment had expired a month later, many troops remained stationed in D.C. as crime rates have continued to dominate public discourse and legislative discussions.
