Welcome to Arrest Stories. A twenty-nine-year-old Afghan national has been arrested after allegedly shooting two National Guard members in critical condition near the White House in Washington, D.C. Heres what may have happened.
On Wednesday, November twenty-sixth, two thousand twenty-five, gunfire erupted in Farragut Square around two fifteen in the afternoon near the Farragut West Metro station in Washington, D.C. The busy tourist area sits close to the White House and a major transit center.
According to authorities, Rahmanullah Lakanwal rounded a corner, raised his arm with a weapon and opened fire on two West Virginia National Guard service members. Witnesses reported hearing five shots ring out before seeing people running from the scene. One witness described hiding behind chairs in Farragut Square and seeing a person with his hands behind his back on his stomach, who he assumes was the shooter.
Officials stated it appears to be a lone gunman that raised a firearm and ambushed these members of the National Guard. Fellow West Virginia National Guardsmen who were nearby heard the gunfire and were able to intervene, holding down the suspect after he had been shot on the ground.
The FBI identified the suspect by running fingerprints of the man in custody. Lakanwal is an Afghan national who entered the United States on September eighth, two thousand twenty-one, as part of Operation Allies Welcome following the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan. He applied for asylum in two thousand twenty-four and was granted asylum in April two thousand twenty-five.
The two National Guard victims remain in critical condition, though their names have not been released. Lakanwal was also shot during the incident but sustained injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.
The FBI is investigating the shooting as a potential act of international terrorism. Officials stated they are determined to ensure that justice is served and will not put up with these kinds of assaults on law and order.
All suspects presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Do not take this report as factual, always verify facts. Thanks for watching Arrest Stories.