The gunman suspected in the shooting of two National Guard members near the White House on Wednesday has been identified as Afghan man Rahmanullah Lakanwal, according to law enforcement officials.
Law enforcement officials told The Associated Press and other outlets that Lakanwal is believed to have entered the United States in September 2021 and was living in Washington state.
The suspect, who is now in custody, was also shot and suffered injuries that are not considered life-threatening, according to a law enforcement official who was not authorized to discuss the case publicly and who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity. No further information has been released about the suspect.
The shooting took place on Wednesday afternoon near the Farragut West Metro station in the capital city. The two National Guardsmen who were shot remain in critical condition. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser called the attack a “targeted shooting.”
National Guard troops have been deployed throughout Washington since August, when the Trump administration declared a “crime emergency” and ordered them to support federal and local law enforcement.
An estimated 2,375 National Guard troops are currently active in Washington. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Trump had asked him to add additional Guard members after the shooting.
More details soon…
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