Authorities say they have identified the man responsible for a violent attack in downtown Washington, D.C.—a shooting that left two National Guard soldiers fighting to stay alive and sent shockwaves through a city already tense with political division.
The gunfire erupted on an otherwise typical Wednesday afternoon in Farragut Square, a bustling patch of the city where government employees grab lunch, tourists pause for photos, and workers rush between offices. Just a short walk from the White House, it’s a place where the noise is usually harmless—street musicians, traffic, small talk. But at 2:15 p.m., that everyday soundtrack was replaced by chaos.
According to officials, a single armed attacker approached three National Guard members assigned to security duties in the capital. Without speaking, he opened fire at close range. Two Guardsmen collapsed to the pavement while the third returned fire, striking the gunman. Witnesses described people screaming, diving behind planters, and racing into nearby buildings as shots echoed across the square.
The wounded soldiers—both part of the West Virginia National Guard—were rushed into emergency care and remained in critical condition. Though their names were initially withheld, Guard officials confirmed they belonged to the 2,200-plus service members currently deployed throughout D.C., including units from multiple states.
The shooter was later identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan evacuee who entered the United States in 2021 as part of Operation Allies Welcome, the humanitarian initiative created after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. He was taken into custody after being shot and transported to a hospital under armed guard. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized that investigators have found no evidence suggesting he acted with accomplices.
Almost immediately, the shooting ignited political backlash. From Florida, President Donald Trump called the act “evil, hateful, and terroristic,” vowing severe consequences. He announced new security measures targeting individuals who resettled in the U.S. through Operation Allies Welcome and ordered a full review of every Afghan processed under the program in 2021.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth responded by authorizing an additional 500 National Guard troops to reinforce the capital during the holiday period, adding to an already heavy security presence.
Operation Allies Welcome brought approximately 76,000 Afghans to the United States during its yearlong operation, with participants undergoing medical and security vetting before relocation. But critics insisted from the beginning that screening during the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal was incomplete. In the wake of the attack, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services temporarily halted new Afghan applications pending a policy review—sparking immediate debate.
Political leaders from both sides took to the public stage. Joe Biden and Barack Obama issued statements condemning the violence and offering support for the injured soldiers and their families. Biden called their service “an example of devotion in the face of risk,” while Obama described the shooting as “a senseless assault on the values we claim to uphold.”
Shawn VanDiver, leader of #AfghanEvac, urged Americans not to use the tragedy as a reason to scapegoat thousands of Afghan allies who had stood beside the U.S. during the war. “One person’s actions don’t define an entire community,” he warned.
In the National Guard community, the emotional fallout has been immediate. General Steven Nordhaus rushed back to Washington, emphasizing that the priority now is the well-being of the wounded soldiers and the safety of every service member serving in the capital.
The incident has reignited a years-long argument about how the nation should balance humanity with security. Some believe the attack proves that stricter oversight and deeper background checks are necessary. Others insist that punishing thousands of refugees for the actions of one individual is not only unjust—it’s dangerous and counterproductive.
Security analysts note that no screening system is infallible. People are complex, unpredictable, shaped by experiences that don’t always appear on paper. Critics argue failures must be identified and addressed; supporters of resettlement programs urge not to let fear undo years of humanitarian work.
Across Washington, the atmosphere has shifted. More police line the sidewalks. Metro stations have heavier patrols. Barricades appear in places usually reserved for tourists. Even seasoned commuters can feel the tension.
Soldiers stationed in D.C. find themselves shaken as well. What many expected to be quiet posts or routine holiday duties turned, in an instant, into a front line. Families across the country now sit by their phones, hoping for updates no parent or partner ever wants to hear.
But the debate surrounding the shooting stretches far beyond the crime scene. It touches immigration policy, national identity, moral responsibility, and the constant struggle to balance safety with compassion. Leaders must now navigate a minefield of public pressure, political agendas, and unanswered questions.
For the moment, two young Guardsmen remain in critical condition. Investigators search for clues about the shooter’s background and motives. Politicians begin drafting policy shifts. And a city accustomed to historic events finds itself once again at the center of a story bigger than any one person.
Washington is on edge, the nation is watching closely, and the repercussions of this single act of violence will continue shaping conversations about security, immigration, and trust for a long time to come.