Authorities have identified a suspect following the shooting of two National Guards near the White House on Wednesday.
On November 26, reports emerged that ‘multiple people’ were shot in Washington DC, prompting a lockdown at the White House.
It was later revealed that the victims included two guardsmen who were critically injured in the incident.
In a statement following the shooting, Jeffrey Carroll, an executive assistant DC police chief, indicated that investigators did not have information on a possible motive. He explained that video footage showed the attacker ‘came around the corner’ and began firing at the troops without warning.
“It appears to be a lone gunman that raised a firearm and ambushed these members of the National Guard,” Carroll stated.
Washington mayor Muriel Bowser described the incident as a ‘targeted shooting’.
The alleged shooter has been identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old from Afghanistan.
Lakanwal was taken into custody after being captured by law enforcement. He had sustained gunshot wounds and was treated at a hospital. His injuries were reported to be non-life-threatening.
According to two law enforcement officials speaking to the Associated Press, Lakanwal arrived in the United States in September 2021 and had been residing in Washington state.
A family member of Lakanwal told NBC News that the 29-year-old had a decade-long military service history and worked alongside US troops.
The relative, who reportedly served with Lakanwal, commented on their military experience: “We were the ones that were targeted by the Taliban in Afghanistan.”
As reported by NBC News, Lakanwal was originally from Khost province and had been living in Bellingham, Washington, with his wife and five children.
In a video released on Wednesday evening, Trump (who was not in the capital at the time of the shooting) referred to Afghanistan as ‘a hellhole on earth’ and stated that his administration would review all entries from the country under President Joe Biden.
Trump also criticized Minnesota, expressing concerns about ‘hundreds of thousands of Somalians’ whom he claimed are ‘ripping apart that once-great state’.
The US Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a halt on requests from Afghan nationals.
In a Twitter statement, USCIS wrote: “Effective immediately, processing of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals is stopped indefinitely pending further review of security and vetting protocols.
“The protection and safety of our homeland and of the American people remains our singular focus and mission.”