Two National Guard Members in Critical Condition After Targeted Shooting Near White House

The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed the identity of the individual responsible for the shooting of two National Guard members on Wednesday. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakamal, arrived in the United States from Afghanistan in 2021, according to a statement released by the department late on Wednesday. Law enforcement sources indicated that the suspect is currently in custody.

Multiple law enforcement officials who have been briefed on the case told The News Pulse that the initial identification of the suspect aligns with a man from Washington state who applied for asylum in 2024. This application was approved by the Trump administration earlier this year.

During a news conference held on Wednesday, Jeffery Carroll, the executive assistant chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, stated that the two National Guard members were conducting “high visibility patrols” near the White House when the suspect approached. He described how the suspect raised his arm with a firearm and fired at the National Guard members. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and FBI Director Kash Patel both emphasized during the presser that the two guardsmen are in critical condition.

Bowser referred to the attack as a “targeted shooting” in a post on X, noting that the two guardsmen who were shot were part of the West Virginia National Guard. Patel urged the public to send their prayers to the injured soldiers and their families.

Carroll also mentioned that there is no indication of any other suspects involved in the incident. He added that the suspect in custody was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The shooting occurred near Farragut Square, an area known for its high tourist traffic and proximity to a major transit hub and the White House. A source familiar with the investigation told The News Pulse that law enforcement is not tracking any additional victims beyond the two National Guard officers and the suspect.

Three law enforcement sources revealed that the suspect approached the guardsmen and targeted them, firing first at one who was standing just a few feet away. Another source said the suspect then shot the second guard member, who attempted to take cover behind a bus stop shelter. It was also noted that the suspect is not cooperating with investigators and did not have any identification on him at the time of his arrest.

What we know about the shooting

Video footage captured from a nearby Metro station showed the incident as it unfolded, according to law enforcement officials. They reported that the gunman approached three National Guard members who appeared unaware of his presence until he began shooting. One guard member was struck, followed by another, officials said.

The gunman then stood over the first victim and attempted to fire another round. At that point, the third guard member returned fire at the alleged shooter, according to sources.

A witness near the scene told The News Pulse that she heard gunshots and saw several people administering CPR to individuals on the ground. Two law enforcement sources indicated that the suspect was taken from the scene on a stretcher.

Authorities used the fingerprints of the man in custody to identify him, according to one law enforcement official.

Investigators have recovered a handgun believed to have been used in the attack on the National Guard members. They are currently working to determine when and how the suspect obtained the weapon. US law prohibits firearms sales to non-citizens or legal permanent residents, and it remains unclear whether the alleged gunman could have legally purchased the handgun, according to officials.

Prior to the Wednesday news conference, there were conflicting reports regarding the condition of the guardsmen. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey initially posted on social media that the guardsmen were believed to be dead, but later corrected the statement.

Earlier in the day, DC Metropolitan Police advised the public to avoid the area, stating that the scene was secure and that one suspect was in custody.

Joint Task Force — DC, the National Guard office responsible for organizing the Guard mission in Washington, DC, confirmed in a statement that “several” of its members were involved in the shooting near the Farragut West Metro Station. The statement also noted that the task force is working with DC police and other law enforcement agencies.

Trump addresses nation and calls for re-examining Afghan immigrants

President Donald Trump identified the suspect as an Afghan national in a video posted from Mar-a-Lago late on Wednesday. He blamed the Biden administration for allowing the suspect into the country, claiming that the individual was “flown in by the Biden administration in September 2021.”

Trump stated, “I can report tonight that based on the best available information, the Department of Homeland Security is confident that the suspect in custody is a foreigner who entered our country from Afghanistan — a hell hole on earth.” He called for a reexamination of all Afghan immigrants admitted under the Biden administration, urging the removal of anyone deemed not to benefit the country.

Following Trump’s remarks, US Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that processing of all immigration cases related to Afghan immigrants would be halted indefinitely pending further review of security and vetting protocols.

The Trump administration had already begun re-interviewing Afghan migrants admitted during the previous administration, according to The News Pulse. Trump officials have consistently argued that the previous administration did not adequately vet those who entered the US.

In his video, Trump reiterated his call to deploy 500 more National Guardsmen to Washington, DC, in response to the shooting. This request was shared by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth earlier in the day.

Shortly after the shooting, Trump made a post on Truth Social, saying, “The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen … is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price.”

Vice President JD Vance, during remarks at an event in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, called for prayers for the National Guard members, who were in critical condition at the time. He described them as “soldiers are the sword and the shield of the United States of America.”

National Guard troops in nation’s capital since August

National Guard troops from multiple states have been stationed in Washington, DC, for months as part of President Donald Trump’s anti-crime initiative in the nation’s capital, which has since expanded to other cities across the country. Trump mobilized the National Guard in August, authorizing them to conduct law enforcement activities.

The News Pulse reported last month that National Guard troops will remain mobilized in the city at least through February. However, last week a federal judge halted the mobilization of the National Guard in Washington, DC, ruling that Trump and the Defense Department illegally deployed the troops.

In her ruling, the judge noted that “more than 2,000 National Guard troops” were present in the city each day. The judge did not immediately order the National Guard to leave the city, allowing the Trump administration time to file an appeal, which it did Tuesday.

The administration requested an emergency stay of the judge’s order to remove the National Guard from Washington, DC, earlier on Wednesday.

This story and headline have been updated with additional details.

The News Pulse’s John Miller contributed to this report.

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