A deadly attack on two West Virginia National Guard members just blocks from the White House has prompted widespread shock, a major federal response, and sweeping new immigration actions from the Trump administration.
One soldier died and another remains in critical condition, while the suspect, an Afghan national, has been taken into custody.
The Attack Near the White House
The shooting occurred shortly after 2 p.m. EST on Wednesday near Farragut Square, a busy area of downtown Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police officials say the two uniformed soldiers were on routine, high-visibility patrol near 17th and I streets when the gunman rounded a corner and opened fire at close range.
Assistant Chief Jeff Carroll described the incident as an “ambush.” The location, only a few blocks from the White House, allowed law enforcement to respond within minutes, treating the victims and arresting the suspect at the scene. One soldier later died in hospital.
President Donald Trump was not in Washington at the time; he was at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.
The Victims
The Guard members were identified as Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24, both serving with the West Virginia National Guard.
Beckstrom died on Thursday, the president confirmed during a Thanksgiving call with U.S. service members. Wolfe remains in critical condition after being shot multiple times.
Pictures of two National Guard members and a picture of a suspect at a press conference in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 27, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard
Attorney General Pam Bondi noted that Beckstrom had volunteered for the assignment so others could spend the holiday with their families.
The Suspect
Authorities identified the gunman as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, describing him as a “criminal alien from Afghanistan.” He was shot four times during his apprehension and is reportedly refusing to cooperate with investigators.
Authorities identified the gunman as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal. Photo Courtesy: BBC via Reuters
Lakanwal arrived in the U.S. in September 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, a programme created after the Taliban takeover to protect Afghans who assisted U.S. forces. U.S. intelligence officials say he previously worked with both the CIA and U.S. military personnel in Afghanistan.
He lived with his wife and five children in Washington state and was granted asylum earlier this year.
Possible Charges
The U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., Jeanine Pirro, said charges will be upgraded to first-degree murder, calling the shooting a “premeditated ambush.” Lakanwal was initially expected to face three counts of assault with intent to kill and firearms charges.
Federal Response and Immigration Fallout
President Trump condemned the attack as an “act of terror” and ordered 500 additional National Guard troops to be deployed to Washington, where about 2,200 are already stationed. The Guard cannot enforce laws or make arrests but supports security operations in the city.
The administration has also moved swiftly to tighten immigration controls:
- All Afghan immigration requests were suspended within hours of the attack.
- USCIS ordered a review of green cards issued to migrants from 19 countries.
- Trump vowed to “permanently pause migration” from all “third-world countries.”
- On Friday, USCIS announced a halt to all asylum decisions nationwide pending enhanced vetting measures.
The shooting, and the policies announced in its wake, have intensified political debate around security, migration, and the government’s handling of Afghan resettlement since the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Source: BBC
Written By Rodney Mbua
