A 29-year-old Afghan national has been taken into custody after a violent ambush in downtown Washington, D.C., that left two West Virginia National Guard soldiers fighting for their lives just blocks from the White House.
The attack unfolded near 17th and I Streets NW, close to a busy metro stop, where the soldiers were on routine patrol. Investigators say the suspect, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, opened fire on the guardsmen in what officials are calling a targeted assault. A nearby guard returned fire, wounding the attacker before he was subdued and arrested. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
Both soldiers were rushed to the hospital in critical condition, prompting an immediate surge in federal security across the capital. Agencies, including the FBI, are now conducting a full investigation and reviewing the suspect’s background, possible motives, and any potential ties to broader threats.
In the aftermath, federal officials have increased Guard presence in the city, while renewed scrutiny has fallen on past immigration and vetting protocols connected to Afghan resettlement programs.