Who is Rahmanullah Lakamal? The “criminal alien from Afghanistan” who shot two National Guard members
Police at the scene of a shooting in Chicago River North neighborhood. Photograph: Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Chicago Sun-Times via AP
Washington, D.C. was thrown into turmoil on Wednesday afternoon after two members of the West Virginia National Guard were critically wounded in what authorities described as a deliberate and targeted shooting—just a short walk from the White House. The incident, which unfolded near the busy Farragut Square Metro Station, sent shockwaves through the capital and raised new questions about national security, immigration vetting, and the safety of uniformed personnel on domestic patrols.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department, the attack happened at approximately 2:15 p.m. as the soldiers carried out a high-visibility patrol along 17th and I Streets NW, an area crowded with office workers on their lunch break. Witnesses reported hearing an initial pair of gunshots, followed by a burst of additional rounds that sent pedestrians scrambling into nearby shops for cover.
Authorities say the shooter, identified by the Department of Homeland Security as 28-year-old Rahmanullah Lakamal, approached the servicemembers from around a street corner and opened fire without warning. National Guard members stationed nearby reacted immediately, subduing the gunman after he was shot during the confrontation. Law enforcement officials later confirmed he sustained four gunshot wounds. His motive remains unknown, and investigators say he has refused to cooperate.
In a press briefing, FBI Director Kash Patel condemned the event as a “brazen act of violence,” confirming that federal agencies are treating the case with the highest level of urgency. Police officials described the situation as an ambush, noting that the soldiers “had no chance to react before the first shots rang out.”
President Donald Trump, speaking from his Mar-a-Lago residence, identified the suspect as an Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021. He vowed that his administration would ensure the attacker “pays the steepest possible price” for what he called an act of hatred and terror. He further announced a review of all Afghan entrants admitted under the Biden administration’s 2021 evacuation efforts following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Within hours, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services confirmed it had paused all pending Afghan immigration requests while reassessing its vetting protocols.
The attack caused ripple effects beyond the immediate crime scene. Washington’s Reagan National Airport briefly halted departures as authorities evaluated potential security threats. Streets surrounding the area were flooded with police vehicles, armed tactical officers, and additional Guard units as investigators secured the perimeter and gathered evidence. Shattered glass from a bus stop remained scattered across the sidewalk as forensic teams worked through the evening.
Confusion escalated when West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey initially announced that both soldiers had succumbed to their injuries—only to later retract the statement, citing conflicting medical updates. As of late Wednesday, both victims remained in critical condition at separate hospitals.
The White House also confirmed that Trump ordered an additional deployment of 500 National Guard members to strengthen security across the capital. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized that the move was intended to “restore confidence and ensure the capital remains safe and stable.”
The shooting comes at a time when crime data in the district has been trending downward. Since the Guard was deployed earlier in August, homicides and reported offenses have dropped significantly compared with the same period in 2024. Still, this incident has reignited political debate over the role and presence of National Guard troops in civilian spaces.
For now, Washington, D.C. remains on edge as investigators search for answers and the nation awaits updates on the condition of the injured servicemembers.
FAQ
1. Where did the shooting occur?
Near 17th and I Streets NW in Washington, D.C., close to the Farragut Square Metro Station and less than two blocks from the White House.
2. Who was the suspect?
The Department of Homeland Security identified the suspect as Rahmanullah Lakamal, originally from Afghanistan.
3. What is the condition of the injured soldiers?
Both National Guard members from West Virginia remain in critical condition.
4. Was there a motive?
Investigators say no motive has been established, and the suspect is not cooperating.
5. What actions did the government take after the attack?
The president called for stricter vetting of Afghan entrants and deployed an additional 500 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C.