An Afghan asylum seeker has been identified as the suspect in the ambush of two National Guard personnel in Washington, DC, officials said, citing US law enforcement sources.
The 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal had entered the US in 2021 after the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul. On Wednesday, investigating officials said the gunmen approached two National Guard troops deployed to Washington from West Virginia and opened fire at close range.
Both injured troopers were quickly rushed to the hospital in critical condition, and the suspect was also detained at the scene. Police authorities stated that they have not yet determined the motive behind the attack. According to sources, the suspected gunman fired at least 10 to 15 shots before being shot four times in the aftermath of the attack.
The two personnel were shot near the White House. Meanwhile, the FBI director, Kash Patel, said that “The incident would be treated as an assault on a federal law enforcement officer.” Official sources also revealed that “The agency would explore the possible angles of a terrorist attack.”
US President Donald Trump had deployed the National Guard across multiple cities, arguing that the measure was aimed at fighting the rampant crime in the Democrat-run cities. While the opposition lawmakers denounced the move, it has become a matter of contention within US politics, creating a rift between the two sides.
Trump also intensified anti-immigration raids and vowed to overhaul the asylum system, saying it allows violent criminals and extremists to enter the country. It can now be expected that the US administration will likely tighten its grip further on immigration in the coming days after yesterday’s attack.
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