White House Security Scare: Guard Members Shot in Targeted

Breaking News Update: November 27, 2025

Two West Virginia National Guard members fighting for their lives after ambush-style shooting blocks from White House. Afghan asylum seeker in custody as FBI investigates possible terrorism.

What Happened: Timeline of the Attack
A shocking attack unfolded in the heart of Washington, D.C., on Wednesday afternoon, leaving two National Guard members in critical condition and raising urgent questions about national security and the safety of military personnel deployed in the nation’s capital.

The shooting occurred at approximately 2:15 p.m. near the intersection of 17th and I Streets Northwest, just blocks from the White House. Two West Virginia National Guard members were conducting routine high-visibility patrols when they were ambushed by a gunman who opened fire without warning.

According to law enforcement officials, the attacker approached three National Guard members who were unaware of his presence until he began shooting. The gunman struck one guard member, then another, in what authorities have described as a deliberate, targeted assault. Video footage from a nearby Metro station captured the harrowing moments as the attack unfolded.

In the chaos that followed, the third guard member returned fire, wounding the suspect. Nearby National Guard personnel quickly intervened to subdue the shooter and secure the scene while emergency responders rushed the wounded service members to area hospitals.

Both victims were shot in the head and remain in critical condition as of Thursday morning. Their identities have not been publicly released pending family notification.

The Suspect: Afghan Asylum Seeker Identified
The Department of Homeland Security has identified the suspect as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome.

Background on the Suspect
Operation Allies Welcome was a Biden-era program designed to resettle Afghans who had assisted U.S. forces during the Afghanistan war following the chaotic withdrawal and Taliban takeover of Kabul in August 2021.

Lakanwal applied for asylum in 2024, and his application was approved in April 2025 under the Trump administration. His last known address was in Bellingham, Washington state.

The suspect was also wounded during the exchange of gunfire and was taken to a hospital in critical condition. Law enforcement officials recovered a handgun at the scene believed to have been used in the attack.

Questions About Firearm Acquisition
Investigators are working to determine when and how Lakanwal obtained the weapon, as federal law prohibits firearms sales to individuals who are not U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. The illegal acquisition of the firearm has raised additional concerns about gaps in background check systems and enforcement.

FBI Launches Terrorism Investigation
The FBI has announced it will investigate the shooting as a possible act of terrorism. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the bureau will lead the investigation and that the attack will be prosecuted at the federal level as an assault on federal law enforcement officers.

Was This a Targeted Attack?
Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed that the individual “appeared to target” the National Guard members, though a definitive motive has not yet been determined. Law enforcement officials described the shooting as an “ambush-style” attack based on the suspect’s actions and the element of surprise.

One suspect is currently in custody, and investigators have found no indication of additional suspects or an ongoing threat to public safety.

Presidential Response: Trump Calls Attack “Act of Terror”
President Donald Trump addressed the nation from Mar-a-Lago, where he is spending the Thanksgiving holiday, calling the shooting “an act of evil, an act of hatred and an act of terror.” The president emphasized that the attack was “a crime against our entire nation.”

New Troop Deployment Ordered
In response to the shooting, President Trump confirmed he has ordered the mobilization of an additional 500 federal troops to Washington, D.C. This deployment comes as the existing National Guard presence in the capital faces legal challenges.

Trump also called for a comprehensive reexamination of all Afghan evacuees who entered the United States during the Biden administration, stating the shooting “underscores the single greatest national security threat facing our nation.”

Bipartisan Condolences
Former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden both released statements expressing support for the wounded National Guard members and their families.

Obama stated: “Violence has no place in America. Michelle and I are praying for the servicemembers shot in Washington, DC today, and send our love to their families as they enter this holiday season under the most tragic of circumstances.”

National Guard Deployment in DC: Controversial Context
The attack occurred against the backdrop of an unprecedented and controversial deployment of National Guard troops to Washington, D.C.

Why Are National Guard Troops in Washington?
Over the past few months, more than 2,000 National Guard personnel have been sent to the nation’s capital to assist with patrols and beautification efforts. Approximately 179 Guard members from West Virginia are among those deployed.

President Trump began deploying troops to Washington in early August, citing concerns about the city’s crime rate and the need for enhanced security measures in federal areas.

Legal Challenge to Deployment
The deployment has faced significant legal opposition. Last week, a federal judge ruled that the National Guard presence was likely illegal and ordered an end to the deployment. However, the judge put her order on hold for 21 days to allow the Trump administration time to either remove the troops or file an appeal.

The shooting has intensified debate over the deployment, with administration officials arguing that the attack demonstrates the necessity of maintaining a military presence in the capital.

Initial Confusion Over Casualties
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey initially reported that the National Guard members had died. He later walked back those statements, explaining that his office had received “conflicting reports” about their condition.

As of Thursday morning, both victims remain alive and in critical condition at area hospitals, though their prognosis has not been publicly disclosed.

What This Means: National Security Implications
The shooting near the White House has reignited heated debates about immigration policy, vetting procedures for refugees and asylum seekers, and the security of military personnel operating on domestic soil.

Concerns About Vetting Procedures
Critics are questioning how thoroughly Afghan evacuees were screened before entering the United States during the chaotic 2021 withdrawal. The fact that the suspect was granted asylum as recently as April 2025 has raised concerns about ongoing vetting procedures under the current administration.

Safety of Deployed Personnel
The attack has also highlighted the vulnerability of National Guard members conducting patrols in urban environments. Unlike combat deployments overseas, these service members may not have been prepared for the possibility of targeted ambush attacks in the nation’s capital.

Immigration and National Security Debate
Political leaders across the spectrum are grappling with how to balance humanitarian obligations to refugees who assisted U.S. forces with legitimate security concerns. The incident is likely to fuel ongoing debates about refugee resettlement programs, asylum policies, and border security measures.

Ongoing Investigation: What We’re Watching
As the FBI continues its investigation, several key questions remain unanswered:

What was the suspect’s motive? Investigators are examining whether Lakanwal had connections to terrorist organizations or was radicalized after arriving in the United States.

How did he obtain the firearm? Given legal restrictions on firearm purchases by non-citizens, authorities are tracing the weapon’s origins and investigating potential straw purchases or illegal sales.

Was this a lone actor? While no additional suspects have been identified, investigators are examining the suspect’s communications, travel history, and associations.

Were there warning signs? Law enforcement is reviewing whether any red flags were missed that could have prevented the attack.

Community Response and Security Measures
Washington D.C. residents and visitors are grappling with the reality that a brazen attack occurred in broad daylight in one of the most heavily secured areas of the nation’s capital.

Security has been visibly enhanced around the White House complex and other federal buildings. The additional 500 troops ordered by President Trump are expected to arrive in the coming days, further increasing the military presence in downtown Washington.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are the National Guard members expected to survive?
A: Both victims remain in critical condition. Authorities have not provided updates on their prognosis.

Q: Has the suspect been charged?
A: The suspect remains hospitalized in critical condition. Federal charges are expected once he is medically cleared.

Q: Were the National Guard members armed?
A: Yes, the Guard members were armed and one returned fire, wounding the suspect.

Q: Is there an ongoing threat to public safety?
A: Authorities have stated there is no indication of additional suspects or ongoing threats.

Q: How many National Guard troops are currently in Washington DC?
A: Over 2,000 National Guard personnel are currently deployed, with an additional 500 ordered following the attack.

Stay Updated: This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available from law enforcement officials and the ongoing FBI investigation.

Our thoughts are with the wounded National Guard members and their families during this difficult time.