The FBI believes it has identified the suspect in the shooting of two West Virginia National Guardsmen near the White House earlier Wednesday, an attack officials are calling a targeted ambush on military personnel assigned to security duties in the nation’s capital. Others are calling it an act of terrorism.
The suspected gunman may have ties to Bellingham, Washington and is believed to have immigrated from Afghanistan to the District of Columbia in August 2021. The suspect is being identified as Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who came to the US in 2021 under the President Joe Biden’s Operation Allies Welcome program, but his permission to remain in the US expired in September and he is considered to be here illegally. He allegedly shouted “ALLAHU AKBAR” during the attack.
The guardsmen were conducting what police described as “high visibility patrols” when the shooter approached and opened fire. Police officials said the suspected gunman was quickly subdued and taken into custody. Jeffrey Carroll, an executive assistant DC police chief, said it appeared to be a lone gunman who ambushed the soldiers. It remains unclear whether the suspect was wounded by one of the guardsmen or by responding officers.
Authorities said they are not seeking additional suspects. Washington’s mayor described the incident as a “targeted shooting.”
The attack came a week after a group of six members of Congress released a video calling on military members to disobey orders.
Both guardsmen were critically injured. Early reports that they had died were traced back to an incorrect statement from West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrissy, which was later retracted.
In response to the shooting, President Donald Trump requested an additional 500 National Guard troops be deployed to Washington, D.C. Nearly 2,200 troops are currently assigned to the joint task force operating in the city, according to the latest government update.
6 thoughts on “Shooter believed to be Afghan national linked to Bellingham, Washington”
His picture tells me everything I need to know.
Islam is not compatible with Western Civilization. We need to seriously curb legal immigration and stop it from many countries. You know the list. It is time to recognize our culture, our society, our way of life is worth fighting for.
Any room for non christians in your world Micah?
Every civilization where Islam conquered had collapsed
Just as every country that tried Socialism-communism-Marxism had collapsed
Tells todays generations everything we should expect from Islam and Communism, they destroy
Biden let tens of thousands of these unvetted people into our country. Many of the men think its okay to “marry” an 11 year old child. They should be flown right back home.
“…six members of Congress released a video calling on military members to disobey orders.” Nope. They all said military members do not have to follow illegal orders. There, fixed it for you. As a vet, I can tell you Trump never served, he was too chicken. He said he had bone spurs when our nation was at war. Every military member knows that just because you get an order you don’t have to follow it if the order requires you to do something that violates the law. Hitler’s top generals were hung for war crimes- after they tried to excuse their conduct as “just following orders”,
Hey M – As a vet I can tell you that Clinton never served. He was too chicken. He high-tailed his sorry ass over to England to attend university while our country was at war. What’s your next excuse for Trump?