Authorities have identified 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal as the suspect in the Washington D.C. shooting that critically wounded two National Guard members, prompting President Trump to label the attack an “act of terror” and call for a review of Afghan immigration policies.
Authorities have named Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national granted asylum under a Biden-era program, as the suspect in the shooting of two critically wounded National Guard members near the Farragut West metro station in Washington, D.C.
President Donald Trump described the incident as “an act of terror,” asserting, “we must now re-examine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan under Biden,” and called for the removal of any foreign nationals who “do not belong here, or add benefit to our country.”
Lakanwal, who was also shot, is in custody and his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
Jeffrey Carroll of the D.C. Metropolitan Police said the suspect “came around the corner” and “immediately started firing a firearm at the two national guard members.” Videos from bystanders show officers and guards subduing the suspect and providing aid to victims.
Trump announced that an additional 500 National Guard troops will be deployed to the city following the shooting, which occurred amid a larger contingent of 2,375 activated to support federal and local law enforcement.