Two National Guard Members Shot Near White House, Suspect in Custody

Two National Guard members were shot near the White House. The Afghan suspect, linked to CIA, faces terrorism charges.

November 27, 2025

Updated November 27, 2025 at 1:19 PM EST

In a shocking incident near the heart of Washington, D.C., two National Guard members from West Virginia are in critical condition following a shooting that occurred just blocks from the White House on Wednesday. The attack has stirred significant national attention and prompted a strong response from federal officials.

“Two families are shattered and destroyed and torn apart as the result of the actions of one man,” stated Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia during a press briefing. She confirmed that the injured soldiers, Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24, had undergone surgery and their recovery is being closely monitored.

The suspect, identified as Rahmanuallah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, allegedly drove from Washington state and used a .357 Smith and Wesson revolver in what authorities are describing as a “targeted attack” on the Guard members. Pirro emphasized the seriousness of the attack, describing it as a challenge to law and order in the capital. Charges of terrorism are being pursued, with the possibility of life imprisonment or the death penalty if either soldier succumbs to their injuries.

FBI Director Kash Patel revealed that a comprehensive investigation is underway, involving searches in Bellingham, Washington, and San Diego, in addition to overseas inquiries. CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed the suspect’s entry to the U.S. in 2021 due to his prior work with the U.S. Government, including the CIA.

The attack occurs amidst President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to several cities nationwide, including Washington, D.C., a move that has faced considerable legal challenges.

Details of the Attack Unfold

According to Jeffery Carroll, executive assistant chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, the shooting took place around 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday. The gunman approached the Guard members, firing upon them before being subdued by nearby personnel. The identity of who shot the gunman remains unclear.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser described the incident as a “targeted” attack. President Trump, via Truth Social, condemned the shooter, referring to him as an “animal.” The president was in Florida at the time of the incident.

In a Fox News interview, former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi highlighted that one of the injured Guards, a “young woman,” had volunteered for duty during the Thanksgiving holiday. Both injured members are reportedly fighting for their lives.

Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

Getty Images

National Guard members respond to the shooting of two West Virginia Guard members near the White House on Wednesday.

Background of the Suspected Shooter

The suspect, Lakanwal, entered the U.S. as part of Operation Allies Welcome, a Biden administration initiative to resettle Afghans after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Lakanwal, who once served in Afghanistan’s elite counterterrorism unit operated by the CIA, was among the thousands who entered the U.S. on humanitarian parole.

In a statement, CIA Director Ratcliffe criticized the administration’s decision to allow Lakanwal into the country, stating, “Our citizens and servicemembers deserve far better than to endure the ongoing fallout from the Biden Administration’s catastrophic failures.” The shooter was previously employed by U.S. intelligence services.

Despite the program’s intentions, the shooting has prompted a reevaluation of immigration processes, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services halting Afghan immigration applications pending further security reviews.

The motive behind Lakanwal’s actions remains unclear, but President Trump has labeled the incident as “an act of terror,” reinforcing his stance on immigration policies.

Law enforcement officials secure the scene after two National Guard members were shot in downtown Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.

Response and Future Implications

In light of the attack, President Trump has ordered an additional 500 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., reinforcing the already stationed 2,000 troops. This decision follows his earlier deployments to Democratic-led cities across the country, which have sparked legal challenges and debates over their legality.

A recent federal court ruling deemed the deployment of troops in D.C. unlawful, with the injunction’s effect delayed to allow for an appeal by the Trump administration. The situation remains fluid as legal battles unfold over the deployments.

This story is developing and updates will follow as more information becomes available.

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