Daytime Shooting of National Guard Members Raises Alarms in Washington, D.C.

Sat Jan 17 2026 14:20:41 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A shooting involving two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., perpetrated by an Afghan national, has ignited concerns regarding security, the suspect's journey to the U.S., and the welfare of the injured troops.

Two members of the West Virginia National Guard were critically injured in a shooting incident in Washington, D.C., committed by a 29-year-old Afghan national. The attacker was arrested at the scene, but authorities are still investigating the motive behind the assault. Following the shooting, the Capitol's security dynamics and the potential deployment of additional National Guard troops have come into question.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A brazen daylight shooting targeted two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., raising critical questions about the wellbeing of the injured and the circumstances surrounding the suspect, identified as an Afghan national, on the eve of Thanksgiving.

Condition of the National Guard Members

Officials, including FBI Director Kash Patel and Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, reported that the two wounded troops are hospitalized in critical condition. Both are part of the West Virginia National Guard, which recently deployed to D.C. as part of a crime-fighting mission initiated by President Trump. Their identities have not yet been disclosed, although conflicting reports initially misled about the status of these service members.

Details of the Attack

According to Mayor Bowser, the assault is being classified as a targeted shooting. Investigators have reported that video evidence shows the shooter, who approached rapidly before opening fire with a revolver. It is suggested that one of the National Guard members retaliated, although details remain unclear. The shooter was seized at the scene, presumed to be a solitary perpetrator.

The assailant, noted to have sustained injuries that are not life-threatening, fired upon the troops without apparent provocation, and the intent behind the assault is still under investigation.

The Suspect: Afghan National

The shooter has been identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who arrived in the U.S. in September 2021, part of a cohort of Afghan refugees relocated through Operation Allies Welcome by the Biden administration post-U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Reports indicate that he had settled in Washington state with his family prior to this incident.

Investigators are currently dissecting his travel path to Washington, which is over 2,500 miles from his last known residence.

Response and Additional Troop Deployment

In response to the shooting, President Trump announced the dispatch of 500 additional National Guard personnel to D.C. The allocation of these reinforcements remains uncertain, especially following a recent federal judge’s order which called for the cessation of current Guard deployments, though a hold was placed on the order during appeals.

The incident underscores underlying security challenges in a city already fortified with numerous troops from various states, including D.C.'s primary contingent, now totaling nearly 2,200 personnel.

As investigations continue and further information emerges, the situation remains fluid, both in terms of troop safety and broader security protocols in the capital.