Washington, D.C. – Following the brazen shooting of two National Guard members near the White House on November 26, 2025, authorities have identified the suspect as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national. The attack, which occurred in broad daylight near Farragut Square, has not only left two soldiers in critical condition but has also triggered an indefinite suspension of all Afghan immigration processing by the United States government.
Below is a detailed biography of the suspect and the timeline of events leading to this incident, based on information released by federal law enforcement and government officials.
Biography and Background
- Name: Rahmanullah Lakanwal
- Age: 29
- Place of Birth: Kabul, Afghanistan (with origins in Khost Province)
- US Entry Date: September 8, 2021
Life in Afghanistan:
Before coming to the United States, Lakanwal was deeply integrated into the U.S. mission in Afghanistan. Intelligence officials have confirmed that he worked for multiple U.S. government contractors and was a member of the Kandahar Strike Force, a CIA-backed paramilitary unit that operated in southern Afghanistan. He also reportedly worked as a logistics coordinator and for the International Rescue Committee (IRC). His service record included endorsements from U.S. Marines, which facilitated his evacuation.
Arrival and Life in the United States:
Lakanwal was evacuated from Kabul during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal in August 2021. He entered the United States on September 8, 2021, under Operation Allies Welcome, a humanitarian parole program designed to quickly resettle vulnerable Afghans.
Upon arrival, he eventually settled in Bellingham, Washington, where he lived with his wife and five children. In the U.S., he struggled to find steady employment matching his previous status, working various odd jobs including as a warehouse clerk and a delivery driver for Amazon and ride-share platforms.
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Legal Status:
Lakanwal’s initial parole status expired in mid-2024. Facing the loss of his legal standing, he applied for asylum in December 2024. After a vetting process by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), he was granted asylum and a work permit in April 2025.
The Attack on November 26, 2025
According to the Department of Justice and statements from U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, Lakanwal drove across the country from Washington state to Washington, D.C., specifically to carry out the attack. On the afternoon of November 26, he ambushed two West Virginia National Guard members—Specialist Sarah Beckstrom (20) and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe (24)—shooting them with a .357 revolver near the White House. He was subsequently shot by responding troops and taken into custody.
Official Government Response
The attack has led to immediate and sweeping policy changes. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and USCIS have paused all adjudication of Afghan immigration requests.
- USCIS Alert on Afghan Processing: Information for Afghan Nationals | USCIS
- DHS Operation Allies Welcome Information: Operation Allies Welcome | DHS
- Department of State Travel Advisory: Afghanistan International Travel Information
