Targeted Shooting Near White House Sends Shockwaves Through DC
So, here’s what’s been unfolding in Washington, and it’s a story that has really shaken the city. Two National Guard members from West Virginia were left in critical condition after a sudden and violent attack just a few blocks from the White House. The shooting happened in the middle of the afternoon, right around 2:15 p.m., near the Farragut West Metro station, an area that’s normally packed with commuters, tourists, and people heading into nearby offices.
According to officials, the Guardsmen were on what’s called a high-visibility patrol when a man rounded a corner, raised a firearm, and opened fire on them. The attack was described as an ambush, something that appeared intentional and targeted. Witnesses said the gunshots were loud and rapid, and panic set in immediately as people sprinted for cover. One witness described seeing shattered glass everywhere and bystanders performing CPR on one of the soldiers while the other lay bleeding nearby.
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The suspect, identified by multiple law enforcement sources as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, was also shot during the exchange and taken into custody. He had been granted asylum earlier this year, after arriving in the U.S. back in September 2021. Investigators are now treating the incident as a possible act of international terrorism, though no motive has been confirmed yet.
In a late-night address, President Donald Trump called the shooting “an act of evil” and “an act of terror.” He said the attack underscored what he called the country’s greatest national security threat, linking it to immigration policies from the previous administration. His remarks were followed by a sudden announcement from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services stating that all immigration processing related to Afghan nationals had been halted pending a review of security protocols.
On the ground in D.C., the response was immediate. Fellow National Guard members rushed toward the gunfire and managed to subdue the shooter. Emergency vehicles flooded the scene, streets were blocked off, and for a brief period, even the White House was placed on lockdown. Federal agencies including the FBI, Secret Service, ATF, and U.S. Marshals all converged to secure the area and begin the investigation.
Leaders across the government reacted strongly. Mayor Muriel Bowser emphasized that the attack appeared targeted. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called it a cowardly act and announced that the president had requested an additional 500 Guard troops for the city. Vice President JD Vance, speaking separately, described the day as a somber reminder of the risks service members face, even far from battlegrounds.
For now, the city is on edge as officials work to piece together why this happened. What is certain is that the shooting has ignited a national conversation about security, immigration, and the role of the National Guard in Washington, D.C.—and the country will be watching closely as more details emerge.
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