A 29-year-old Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, has been identified as the suspect in an ambush-style attack on two National Guard members in Washington, DC, according to news outlets citing law enforcement sources. The incident, which occurred earlier this week, has raised questions about security measures and the broader context of national security policies under the current administration. The suspect, who is believed to have entered the United States in 2021, approached the two National Guardsmen from West Virginia and opened fire at close range. Both victims were hospitalized in critical condition, and the suspect was detained at the scene, although the motive behind the attack remains under investigation.
Law enforcement agencies have launched a comprehensive investigation into the shooting, with the FBI classifying the incident as an assault on a federal law enforcement officer. In a statement, FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized that the attack would be treated as a serious threat to public safety. NBC News, citing law enforcement sources, reported that the FBI is also considering the possibility that the shooting may be linked to terrorism. This development has further intensified the debate over the administration’s approach to immigration and national security. The broader context of the incident includes the president’s recent deployment of the National Guard in multiple cities, which was framed as a measure to address rising crime in Democrat-run areas. Critics, however, have condemned these actions as an overreach of executive power.