On the eve of Thanksgiving, just blocks from the White House, a shocking act of violence unfolded that left two West Virginia National Guard members hospitalized in critical condition and reignited fierce debate over national security, immigration, and the military’s role in America’s capital. According to the Associated Press, the shooting occurred on November 26, 2025, in broad daylight near a busy metro station northwest of the White House—a location that, for many, symbolizes the heart of American democracy and its vulnerabilities.
The assailant, identified by law enforcement officials as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is an Afghan national who arrived in the U.S. in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome. This Biden administration initiative, launched after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, brought roughly 76,000 Afghans to American soil, many of whom had worked alongside U.S. troops and diplomats as interpreters and translators. While advocates hailed the program as a lifeline for those at risk of Taliban reprisals, it has faced mounting scrutiny from former President Donald Trump, congressional Republicans, and government watchdogs, who have raised concerns about the speed and thoroughness of the vetting process.
As reported by AP, Lakanwal had been living in Bellingham, Washington, with his wife and five children. His former landlord, Kristina Widman, confirmed his recent residence there, adding a human dimension to the suspect now at the center of a national controversy. Authorities were still working to fully confirm his background as the investigation unfolded, and the motive for the attack remained unclear. Executive Assistant D.C. Police Chief Jeffery Carroll told reporters, “It appears to be a lone gunman that raised a firearm and ambushed these members of the National Guard.” He added, “At this point we have no other suspects.”
The events leading up to the shooting were as sudden as they were violent. Citing video evidence reviewed by investigators, Carroll explained that the assailant “came around the corner” and immediately started firing at the troops. At least one National Guard member returned fire, and the suspect was shot and subdued by other troops and law enforcement who rushed to the scene. Lakanwal was hospitalized with wounds not believed to be life-threatening.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos and fear. Stacy Walters, who was in her car nearby, heard two gunshots and saw people running. “Almost instantly, law enforcement swarmed the area,” she recounted. Emma McDonald, who had just exited the metro station, told AP that after the shots rang out, she and a friend sought safety in a nearby cafe. Minutes later, she saw first responders rolling a stretcher carrying a National Guard member whose head was covered in blood. Police tape cordoned off the area as helicopters hovered above and emergency vehicles flashed their lights. Agents from the Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were also present, and at least one helicopter landed on the National Mall.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser described the incident as a “targeted attack,” a characterization echoed by FBI Director Kash Patel. The rarity of such violence against National Guard members—especially in the nation’s capital—on the day before a major holiday only intensified the shock and concern. “This was a targeted shooting,” Bowser said, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
The immediate response from political leaders was swift and, in some cases, incendiary. President Donald Trump, in a video message released on social media Wednesday night, called for the reinvestigation of all Afghan refugees who entered under the Biden administration. “If they can’t love our country, we don’t want them,” he declared, describing the shooting as “a crime against our entire nation.” The Trump administration also quickly ordered an additional 500 National Guard members to Washington, D.C., bringing the total number of troops in the city to nearly 2,200, according to the latest government update. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that Trump personally requested the troop surge.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey initially reported that the two National Guard members had died, but later retracted his statement, citing conflicting reports about their condition. FBI Director Patel and Mayor Bowser confirmed the soldiers remained in critical condition as of the latest updates.
The deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., has been a contentious issue for months. Trump’s emergency order in August 2025 federalized the local police force and brought in National Guard units from eight states and the District of Columbia. Although the order expired after a month, the troops remained in place due to a federal judge’s stay, which gave the administration 21 days to either remove the troops or appeal the decision. The Guard members have patrolled neighborhoods, monitored train stations, participated in highway checkpoints, and even picked up trash and guarded sports events.
Of the more than 300 West Virginia National Guard members deployed in August, about 160 volunteered last week to extend their deployment until the end of the year. The rest returned home just over a week ago, but the attack has cast a pall over those who remain.
As the city reeled from the attack, high-ranking officials made gestures of support and solidarity. Vice President JD Vance, speaking at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, delivered a Thanksgiving message to troops, calling the shooting “a somber reminder that soldiers, whether they’re active duty, reserve or National Guard, our soldiers are the sword and the shield of the United States of America.” Gen. Steven Nordhaus, the chief of the National Guard Bureau, canceled plans to spend Thanksgiving with troops at Guantanamo Bay so that he could be with Guard members in D.C. instead. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll visited the wounded soldiers in the hospital, later expressing his heartbreak on social media: “My heart breaks for them.”
Meanwhile, the investigation into Lakanwal’s background and motives continues, with officials cautioning that details remain preliminary. The attack has already sparked fresh debate over the vetting of Afghan refugees, the ongoing military presence in American cities, and the persistent concerns about public safety and national unity.
As families across the country gather for Thanksgiving, the events in Washington serve as a stark reminder of the risks faced by those in uniform and the complex challenges confronting the nation in a time of heightened political tension and uncertainty. The story is far from over, but for now, the capital remains on edge, its resolve tested once again.
