Afghan National Identified as Suspect in DC Ambush That Critically Injured Two West Virginia National Guardsmen

Authorities have released new details about the suspect in the Washington, D.C., attack that left two members of the West Virginia National Guard hospitalized in critical condition.

The incident, which investigators are calling a targeted ambush, occurred just blocks from the White House on Wednesday afternoon.

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D.C. Metro Police Department Executive Assistant Chief Jeff Carroll said during a press conference that the shooting happened at approximately 2:15 p.m.

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Carroll stated, “At approximately 2:15 this afternoon, members of the National Guard were on high visibility patrols in the area of 17th and I Street NW when a suspect came around the corner, raised his arm with the firearm, and discharged at the National Guard members.”

The suspect has been identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the United States in September 2021 following the Afghanistan withdrawal.

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Records connected to his arrival indicate that he entered the country during the period immediately after the evacuation.

According to reporting from Julio Rosas, a law enforcement source in Washington, D.C., said Lakanwal used a revolver during the attack.

The source also said one of the Guardsmen, who did not have a firearm, used a pocket knife to stab the suspect during the confrontation.

Another Guardsman returned fire, shooting the suspect multiple times.

The suspect allegedly shouted “Allahu akbar!” during the attack.

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There are differing reports regarding Lakanwal’s immigration status at the time of the shooting.

Fox News congressional correspondent Bill Melugin reported that multiple federal law enforcement sources told him the suspect entered the United States on September 8, 2021, as part of the Biden administration’s Operation Allies Welcome program.

Melugin said he was told Lakanwal’s permission to remain in the country expired in September of this year and that he is currently in the United States illegally.

Melugin stated, “BREAKING: Per multiple federal law enforcement sources, the suspect in custody for the shooting of two National Guard soldiers in DC is an Afghan national who entered the U.S. on 9/8/2021 as part of the Biden admin’s Operation Allies Welcome in the aftermath of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. I’m told his permission to be in the U.S. expired in September of this year, and he is now in the country illegally. I have a name and DOB – but am waiting for further confirmation.”

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Investigators continue to review the circumstances leading up to the attack, as well as the suspect’s immigration records and background.

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