National Guard Members Shot in Targeted Attack Near White House
Two National Guard members from West Virginia are fighting for their lives in hospital after being shot in what authorities describe as a targeted attack near the White House. The incident occurred on 26th November 2025, sending shockwaves through the nation's capital and prompting immediate security reinforcements.
The shooting took place near the Farragut West metro station, just steps from the presidential residence. Both guardsmen were rushed to hospital where they remain in critical condition, according to officials who addressed the media in a press conference.
Suspect Identified as Afghan National
Law enforcement officials have identified the suspected shooter as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who reportedly entered the United States in September 2021. Multiple media outlets, including the Associated Press, confirmed that Lakanwal had been living in Washington state prior to the attack.
Federal authorities and local officials were quick to characterise the incident as a targeted attack, though specific motives remain under investigation. The suspect is currently in custody, with details about the apprehension process yet to be fully disclosed.
Trump Responds with Troop Deployment and Immigration Crackdown
President Donald Trump has ordered 500 additional National Guard troops to be deployed to Washington DC in response to the shooting. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the reinforcement, stating that the attack "happened just steps from the White House and it will not stand."
The troop deployment request came hours after President Trump filed an emergency motion asking a federal appeals court to allow the National Guard to remain in Washington. This followed a lower court's order last week requiring his administration to halt the guard's deployment, citing the Home Rule Act.
In a video statement streamed on social media, President Trump called the shooting "an act of terror" and directly linked the suspect to the Biden administration's immigration policies. He announced plans to reexamine every individual who entered the country from Afghanistan under the previous administration.
"We must take all necessary measures to ensure the removal of any alien from any country who does not belong here or add benefit to our country," Trump declared. "If they can't love our country, we don't want 'em."
Current Security Situation in Washington
The shooting occurs amid an already controversial deployment of troops to the US capital city ordered by the Trump administration. Currently, an estimated 2,375 National Guard troops are activated in Washington, with West Virginia providing the second largest contingent at 416 troops, only behind DC's National Guard at 949 troops.
The incident has raised serious questions about security protocols in the most protected areas of the nation's capital, particularly given the proximity to the White House and the ongoing military presence in the city.
Photographs from the scene show National Guard members standing together behind yellow tape, a visible reminder of the heightened security measures implemented immediately following the attack. The image, captured by Nathan Howard of Reuters, has circulated widely across news platforms.
As investigations continue, authorities remain tight-lipped about specific security changes being implemented, though the additional troop deployment signals a significant escalation in the capital's protective measures.
