Shooter Of 2 National Guard Soldiers In Washington, A Resident Of Afghanistan, Former US Intelligence

The US National Guard federal army and the Marines were deployed by Donald Trump to Los Angeles to secure civilian demonstrations. (X @USNorthernCmd)

JAKARTA - A man suspected of shooting two National Guard soldiers was identified as Afghan nationals who had served with US troops in Afghanistan.

According to the New York Times, CBS and NBC, Thursday, November 27, the shooting was carried out by Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, near the White House, Washington DC, Wednesday local time.

The perpetrator opened fire and injured the National Guard soldiers who patrolled on Wednesday afternoon November 26. He was then paralyzed by hot lead by the authorities and then rushed to the hospital.

The US government called the incident an "act of terror."

Without naming the perpetrator, US Security Chief Kristi Noem claimed on social media that the suspect "was one of many people who were mass-conditioned without examination into the US under the [unitary) Operations Welcome."

The Allies Welcome operation was launched by former US President Joe Biden. The program offers Afghans, including those on duty with US troops, the opportunity to settle in the US after the return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan.

NBC quoted a relative of the suspect as saying Lakanwal arrived in the US in September 2021 after serving in the Afghan military for 10 years with US Special Forces, most of whom are based in Kandahar.

Fox News, citing CIA Chief John Ratcliffe, said Lakanwal worked with various US government entities in Afghanistan, including intelligence services.

US public security authorities quoted by CNN and CBS as saying Lakanwal applied for asylum in 2024, which was granted in 2025.