Two members of the National Guard were shot near the White House in Washington, DC.
Police have confirmed that a single suspect has been taken into custody and the area is now secure.
The attack occurred just blocks from the White House, prompting a lockdown of the iconic building. However, it has been reported that neither President Donald Trump nor Vice President J.D. Vance were present at that time.
Following the incident, President Trump addressed the situation on his Truth Social platform, stating that the two National Guard members were “critically wounded.” He referred to the suspect as an “animal” and mentioned that the individual is “severely wounded but regardless, will pay a very steep price.”
Here is what we know about the incident so far…
The identities of the two National Guard members injured in Wednesday’s attack have not yet been disclosed, but an FBI update confirmed they are in ‘critical condition.’
Initial reports incorrectly stated that both members had died, prompting the West Virginia governor to release a tribute to them. The statement inaccurately claimed they had been shot dead.
Patrick Morrisey stated: “These brave West Virginians lost their lives in the service of their country.”
He later retracted this statement, citing ‘conflicting sources’ which indicated that the victims were still alive, though critically injured.
NBC News reported that both guardsmen were shot in the head, citing an official and a senior official briefed on the investigation.
The shooting occurred at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET at the entrance to the Farragut West Metro station, near the busy intersection of 17th and I St NW in the capital.
This location is roughly 2-3 blocks from the White House, which was secured as a precaution.
Limited information has been made public about the suspect’s identity, but it is known that the individual was ‘seriously wounded’ before being apprehended.
News outlets have identified 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, last known to reside in Bellingham, Washington, as the suspect. Reports indicate that he entered the U.S. in 2021, according to CBS News and CNN.
Eyewitnesses reported that the suspect used a handgun to carry out the attack, initially shooting a female National Guard member in the chest and then in the head.
Lakanwal allegedly shot a second guard before being subdued by a third National Guard member.
The suspect, reportedly shot four times, was transported to the hospital for treatment.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear, with authorities investigating multiple possibilities, including terrorism.
President Trump, currently in Palm Springs for the Thanksgiving holidays, addressed the shooting in a Truth Social statement: “The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen, with both being critically wounded, and now in two separate hospitals, is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price. God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement.
“These are truly Great People. I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!”