Washington, D.C., USA | November 27, 2025:
Federal investigators have identified Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 32-year-old Afghan refugee and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holder, as the suspect behind a late-night shooting that critically injured two members of the U.S. National Guard outside a recruiting office in Washington, D.C.
The attack occurred around 11:45 PM UTC (6:45 PM EST), when Lakanwal allegedly opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle while shouting anti-American slogans. The two soldiers—both veterans of the Iraq War—were struck multiple times before officers responded. One remains in critical condition, while the second is reported stable.
Lakanwal fled the scene on foot, sparking a rapid manhunt involving drones, K-9 teams, and federal tactical units. He was apprehended two blocks from the attack site, carrying a backpack containing ISIS-linked propaganda and a handwritten manifesto denouncing what he called “American imperialism.”
Authorities are now investigating whether the suspect was radicalized via online extremist forums. The FBI confirmed that the materials recovered indicate early signs of ideological motivation, though no foreign terror group has claimed responsibility.
The incident is already fueling renewed scrutiny of the United States’ post-2021 Afghan refugee resettlement program, which brought nearly 90,000 evacuees into the country following the Taliban takeover. Lakanwal, previously an interpreter for U.S. forces, reportedly had his SIV expedited during the chaotic Kabul airlift, a process that critics say bypassed standard background checks due to pressure to meet evacuation quotas.
Immigration hardliners and allies of former President Donald Trump seized on the shooting as proof of “security failures,” despite the SIV program being a merit-based pathway intended for vetted wartime allies. Meanwhile, supporters of the program note that Afghan resettlement has boosted local economies but remains underfunded by $200 million a year, leaving integration services stretched thin.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has directed increased security around federal buildings, while Defense Department officials praised the injured soldiers as “dedicated patriots” whose unit provides ceremonial support at the White House.
Lakanwal now faces multiple federal charges, including attempted murder of U.S. service members and terrorism-related offenses, which could result in life imprisonment. The attack is expected to intensify partisan clashes over immigration, national security, and veteran protection ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
