What we know about Rahmanullah Lakanwal? Afghan suspect in DC National Guard shooting as viral photo of scantily clad man circulates

DC shooting: Two National Guard members were critically injured Wednesday afternoon in a shooting near the White House, law enforcement officials confirmed. The suspect has been identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, an Afghan national who entered the United States under Operation Allies Welcome in 2021, according to multiple outlets, including the New York Post and CNN.

How the DC shooting unfolded

Authorities say the two armed National Guard soldiers were patrolling the area when the suspect opened fire, striking both of them. A third guard stationed nearby reportedly intervened and subdued the shooter.


Lakanwal was shot multiple times during the confrontation and was transported to a hospital. Witnesses said he was taken away nearly unclothed as emergency teams worked to stabilize him.

The injured soldiers were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital and remain in critical condition.

Who is Rahmanullah Lakanwal or the suspect in DC shooting?

DC shooter: Rahmanullah Lakanwal is suspected of shooting two national guard in DC. Lakanwal, 29, is an Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, the federal resettlement program established after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.

He was later resettled in Bellingham, Washington, and acted alone, according to the New York Post. No motive has been established so far.

A photo of a man without clothes is going viral on social media, claiming to be the suspected DC shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal; however, officials have not released any such yet.

Response from government officials after DC shooting

President Donald Trump and several state and federal officials condemned the shooting, calling it a violent attack on service members and urging a swift investigation. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the two injured guards. In response to the attack, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the deployment of an additional 500 National Guard members to bolster security across the district.