On November 26, 2025, two members of the West Virginia National Guard were ambushed and shot near the entrance of the Farragut West Metro Station — just two blocks from the White House in Washington, D.C. Wikipedia+2CBS News+2
Authorities have identified the suspect as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the United States in September 2021 under the humanitarian-resettlement program Operation Allies Welcome. CBS News+2Wikipedia+2
🔎 Who is the suspect?
- Lakanwal previously worked with U.S. forces in Afghanistan. A spokesperson for the CIA confirmed that he had served as part of a CIA-backed partner force in Kandahar. CBS News+2PBS+2
- After arriving in the U.S., he applied for asylum — which was granted in April 2025 — though his application for a green card remains pending. CBS News+1
- At the time of the attack, Lakanwal reportedly lived in Bellingham, Washington, with his wife and five children. CBS News+1
What happened during the attack
According to law enforcement:
- The suspect allegedly lay in wait near Farragut West Station, then “came around the corner and immediately opened fire” on two patrol-assigned National Guard members. TIME+2The Washington Post+2
- He was armed with a .357 Magnum revolver and fired at least four rounds. After striking the first victim — a female Guardsman — he reportedly grabbed her weapon and attempted to continue shooting, wounding a second Guardsman. CBS News+2CBS News+2
- A third Guard member returned fire, striking the suspect. He was subdued, taken into custody, and transported to hospital under guard. CBS News+2Fortune+2
Consequences & Official Reactions
- One Guardsman, 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom, died from her injuries. Her fellow Guardsman, 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, remains in critical condition after surgery. CBS News+1
- Prosecutors have filed multiple charges against Lakanwal, including assault with intent to kill while armed and unlawful possession of a firearm. Further charges, potentially including murder, may follow depending on ongoing developments. CBS News+2Wikipedia+2
- The attack has sparked renewed scrutiny of the vetting process for evacuees admitted under Operation Allies Welcome, despite defenders asserting that Afghan entrants underwent extensive screening. The Washington Post+2PBS+2
- In response, authorities — including officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) — have launched a full-scale investigation, seizing electronic devices from the suspect’s home and interviewing family members across multiple states. CBS News+1
Why it matters
This attack — inside sight of the U.S. seat of power — has major implications: heightened national security concerns, renewed debate over immigration and asylum policies, and fresh scrutiny over how individuals with prior affiliations overseas are evaluated before being resettled in the U.S.
As the investigation continues, much remains unknown: investigators have not publicly confirmed a motive, and the suspect is reportedly not cooperating. Authorities are urging the public to refrain from speculation and allow the legal process to play out. The Washington Post+2PBS+2
Related news on this case
