Afghan National Who Worked with U.S. Intelligence Identified as Suspect in DC National Guard Shooting

A West Virginia National Guard member was killed and a second remains in critical condition after a gunman opened fire near the White House the day before Thanksgiving. Authorities have identified the suspect as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who arrived in the United States in September 2021 as part of Operation Allies Welcome.

Victims

U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, was killed in the attack. President Donald Trump, speaking to service members on Thanksgiving, described Beckstrom—who had served for just over two years and volunteered to work the holiday—as "outstanding in every way." Another Guard member, Specialist Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Suspect and background

Authorities have named Rahmanullah Lakanwal as the suspect. Officials say he arrived in the U.S. on Sept. 8, 2021, under Operation Allies Welcome, a program launched to evacuate and resettle vulnerable Afghans after the U.S. military withdrawal. Law enforcement and former officials have said Lakanwal previously worked in Afghanistan with U.S. intelligence and that he applied for asylum in 2024 and was granted asylum earlier this year.

Family members have told investigators Lakanwal suffers from post-traumatic stress related to his combat experience in Afghanistan, where he reportedly served in a CIA-sponsored and -trained special forces unit. Neighbors described him as quiet and said he lived with his wife and five children in Bellingham, Washington. Investigators have interviewed his spouse, each of his children and others close to him as they piece together motive and movements.

Vetting and official statements

Senior U.S. officials have said that individuals who worked with U.S. agencies, including partner forces, typically undergo extensive vetting. A senior official noted that Lakanwal began working with the CIA around 2011 and would have been checked against databases such as the National Counterterrorism Center. That official said the available checks did not flag concerns.

Despite those checks, political leaders have used the shooting to renew criticism of immigration and vetting procedures. President Trump called the attack an "act of terror," urged a reexamination of Afghan arrivals and criticized what he described as "unknown and unvetted foreigners." In response, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced it was pausing certain Afghan-related case processing pending a review of security and vetting protocols.

The shooting and immediate response

The incident occurred about 2:15 p.m. in Farragut Square, a busy tourist area and transit hub near the White House. Officials say two National Guard members were conducting a high-visibility patrol when a lone gunman approached, drew a weapon and fired. Police reported the weapon used was a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver.

Fellow Guard members subdued the suspect after a brief exchange, and emergency medical responders transported the wounded Guard members and the suspect to area hospitals. Witnesses described loud gunfire, shattered glass at a nearby bus stop and bystanders performing CPR on one of the wounded service members.

Investigation and charges

Prosecutors have upgraded the initial assault charges to first-degree murder following Specialist Beckstrom's death. Local prosecutors indicated additional charges are likely; federal officials said the Justice Department will consider the death penalty where applicable and noted the shooting is being treated as a potential act of terrorism while the motive remains under investigation.

Investigators are reviewing Lakanwal's travel, communications and background checks carried out both overseas and during his resettlement. Officials also noted differences between the vetting performed overseas by intelligence agencies and the domestic checks and procedures applied once individuals arrive and seek immigration benefits.

Broader fallout

The shooting renewed debate over the presence and vetting of evacuees from Afghanistan and prompted a request from the president for additional National Guard personnel in Washington, D.C. Legal disputes over the Guard deployment are ongoing. The incident has also prompted policy reviews and temporary pauses in some immigration processing related to Afghan arrivals while agencies reassess security protocols.

Correction: The National Guard members involved in the incident are from West Virginia.