Two West Virginia National Guard members were patrolling near the White House when a lone gunman opened fire around 2:15 p.m. local time on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. The shooting occurred in the area surrounding 17th Street NW and I Street NW, not far from the White House complex. The victims were hospitalized in critical condition, according to federal and local authorities.
Authorities identified Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, an Afghan national who immigrated to the United States in 2021 and was granted asylum this year, as the suspect. He was taken into custody after an exchange of gunfire with responding officers. Investigators, led by the FBI and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) with the involvement of the Department of Homeland Security, are reviewing the case as a potential act of international terrorism.
At a briefing and in statements to the press, federal and local officials cautioned that the motive remains under investigation and that investigators are examining any possible ties to international terrorism. The incident has prompted widespread discussion about immigration policy and national security, with political figures weighing in on the implications for policy and public safety.
President Donald Trump condemned the attack, calling it an act of terror and using the event to criticize immigration policies. He claimed the suspect came from Afghanistan and was brought to the United States during the Biden administration, a point that has become a focus of ongoing political debate.
Officials stressed that the investigation is ongoing and that authorities are examining thousands of leads, including security footage and background checks, to determine whether there is a broader pattern or connection to international terrorism. The investigation is a joint effort involving federal and local agencies, with the FBI coordinating with MPD and DHS to determine motive and potential international links.
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