Two West Virginia National Guard members deployed to Washington, D.C., were critically wounded Wednesday in what authorities say was a targeted ambush just blocks from the White House — a rare and alarming attack on uniformed troops stationed in the nation’s capital.
Officials said the soldiers were shot near a Metro station northwest of the White House, prompting nearby Guard members to rush toward the gunfire and subdue the attacker, who was also wounded. The FBI and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed the guardsmen were in critical condition.
Law enforcement sources told the Associated Press that the suspect, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is believed to be an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021 and had been living in Washington state. Investigators stressed that they are still working to verify background details and have not identified a motive. Surveillance video reviewed by detectives showed the gunman turning a corner and immediately opening fire on the troops, according to police officials.
The shooting immediately escalated political tensions that have followed the Trump administration’s deployment of thousands of National Guard troops to cities across the country. Nearly 2,200 guard members are currently operating in Washington, and the administration ordered an additional 500 to the capital following the attack.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as bystanders ran for cover and first responders worked to stabilize the wounded troops on a glass-strewn sidewalk. Federal agents from the Secret Service, ATF and other agencies quickly secured the area, and a helicopter landed on the National Mall as part of the emergency response.
President Donald Trump, spending Thanksgiving in Florida, vowed that the shooter “will pay a very steep price” and praised the work of the Guard and law enforcement. Vice President JD Vance, speaking in Kentucky, urged prayers for the wounded soldiers and called the incident a stark reminder of the risks service members face even on domestic missions.
The attack comes as the future of the National Guard deployment remains under legal review. A federal judge recently ordered an end to the operation but paused the ruling for three weeks to allow the administration time to respond. Many of the deployed West Virginia guard members had just returned home, though roughly 160 volunteered to extend their service through the end of the year.
An overview of National Guard domestic authorities and deployment guidelines is available through the National Guard Bureau’s public resources.
