D.C. Shooting Suspect Served in CIA-Backed 'Zero Units'; Veterans Confront Legal Limbo and Trauma

Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the suspect in last week's shooting near the White House, previously served in a CIA-directed Afghan strike force known as the 'Zero Units.' Those who worked with the unit say its members carried out high-risk missions against Taliban commanders and were among the most extensively vetted Afghans to partner with U.S. forces.

Attack and investigation

Authorities say Lakanwal, 29, drove across the country and opened fire near the White House, striking two National Guard members. The attack killed 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and critically wounded 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe. Lakanwal was shot and wounded at the scene and faces charges including first-degree murder, according to officials. Investigators have not announced a motive, and relatives say they are bewildered that someone who fought alongside Americans might carry out such an attack.

Vetting, evacuation and resettlement

Members of the Zero Units were prioritized for evacuation when Kabul fell in 2021 because they were obvious targets for the Taliban. Former intelligence and military officials note these fighters generally underwent intensive vetting to join the unit and periodic security checks while serving. Lakanwal and thousands of others were evacuated from Afghanistan and later underwent additional screening when they sought asylum; Lakanwal's asylum was granted in April.

'Vetting can help mitigate threats, but it doesn’t eliminate threats,' said Geeta Bakshi, a former CIA officer who now works with groups assisting Zero Unit veterans. She added that a thorough FBI-led investigation is underway.

Legal limbo and mental-health consequences

Advocates say many evacuated Zero Unit veterans have lived in prolonged legal uncertainty in the United States—often without work authorization—and that this uncertainty has aggravated existing trauma from combat. Former American officers and nonprofit leaders have repeatedly urged Congress and multiple administrations to resolve the veterans' immigration status, warning that the lack of progress has driven some to despair and even suicide.

A representative of the 1208 Foundation, which assists Afghans who served with U.S. Special Forces, warned that failing to provide a clear path to work and stability leaves people 'in a very troubling situation.' Supporters note that the veterans possess skills that could be valuable in security and protective roles if they are legally employable and properly supported.

Political reaction and claims about vetting

The shooting prompted immediate political reaction. Some officials called for a review of Afghan admissions and a pause in processing resettlement requests. Others publicly blamed prior administrations—claims that have included assertions about vetting that officials say are not supported by the public record. Former intelligence officers stress that membership in a CIA-trained unit would have involved extensive screening but that no vetting process can guarantee an individual will never commit an act of violence.

Allegations of abuses and official responses

Human rights groups have accused some members of the Zero Units of serious abuses, including extrajudicial killings and other rights violations in a series of incidents documented between 2017 and 2019. Former strike-force members and intelligence officers who worked with them dispute those allegations, saying the units were trained in the laws of armed conflict and that operations were reviewed in advance.

Legislative efforts and the way forward

Lawmakers proposed bipartisan legislation called the Afghan Adjustment Act to resolve immigration uncertainty for Zero Unit members and other Afghans who worked for the U.S. government, while adding further security vetting before granting permanent status. Military veterans in Congress supported the proposal, but it was not enacted despite several attempts over the past four years.

Advocates estimate thousands of former Zero Unit fighters were evacuated, and as of July roughly 3,000 still lacked work permits and clear legal status. Returning to Afghanistan is widely viewed as unsafe for these individuals because of the risk of Taliban reprisal for collaborating with U.S. forces.

This episode has renewed debate over refugee vetting, resettlement policy and the U.S. obligation to allies who served alongside American forces. Investigations into the shooting continue, and refugee-support organizations say they will cooperate with authorities while pressing policymakers to address the broader humanitarian and security challenges facing evacuated Afghan veterans.