Washington, D.C. — Two members of the West Virginia National Guard remain in critical condition after being shot near the White House on Wednesday afternoon in what authorities described as a “targeted ambush.”
According to law enforcement, the soldiers were on a high-visibility patrol near 17th and I Streets NW — just a few blocks from the White House — when a lone gunman suddenly appeared, opened fire at the guardsmen, and then attempted to flee. Other National Guard personnel nearby responded quickly and subdued the suspect after an exchange of gunfire.
The suspect, identified by authorities as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021, was also wounded and is in custody. Law enforcement said the motive remains unclear.
The shooting prompted a rapid security response: the area was cordoned off by police, and the White House briefly went on lockdown. The incident also caused brief disruptions at nearby airports as part of the heightened security measures.
In reaction to the attack, Donald Trump — currently in Florida — condemned the shooting, calling the suspect an “animal” who would “pay a very steep price.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that 500 additional National Guard troops would be dispatched to Washington, D.C. to bolster security.
Federal investigators have launched a full-scale probe, and the shooting is being treated as a potential act of terrorism. Authorities said they are working to determine whether the suspect acted alone or as part of a wider plot.
As of now, the identities of the injured soldiers and details regarding their condition remain withheld. Local residents and political figures have expressed shock and concern over the violence — and renewed debate is emerging over the deployment of National Guard troops in city streets.