Targeted Shooting Leaves Two National Guard Members in Critical Condition

Two members of West Virginia’s National Guard are in critical condition after being shot Wednesday in downtown Washington, D.C., just blocks from the White House. A suspect was taken into custody with injuries not believed to be life-threatening, according to police, who have yet to determine a motive. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser described the incident as a “targeted shooting.”

“The individual who appeared to target these guardsmen has been taken into custody,” Bowser said at a news conference streamed on the Newsmax2 platform. The Guardsmen were shot in downtown Washington, D.C., near the White House. The suspect, identified by multiple media outlets as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, was shot during the incident and is in custody with non-life-threatening injuries.

Lakanwal allegedly arrived in the U.S. during the chaotic 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, law enforcement sources told the New York Post. He was reportedly lying in wait near the Farragut West Metro Station in Northwest D.C. at about 2:15 p.m. local time, then opened fire, striking a female guard in the chest before shooting her in the head, according to law enforcement sources.

West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey initially stated the Guard members had died from their injuries but later retracted the post, writing, “We are now receiving conflicting reports about the condition of our two Guard members and will provide additional updates once we receive more complete information.” He added, “Our prayers are with these brave service members, their families, and the entire Guard community.”

President Donald Trump, in Florida for Thanksgiving, wrote on Truth Social that the “animal” involved in the shooting would pay a “very steep price,” noting, “The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen, with both being critically wounded, and now in two separate hospitals, is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price.” He added, “God bless our great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement. These are truly great people.”

The wounded service members were part of over 2,000 National Guard troops deployed to Washington in August after Trump took federal control of the Metropolitan Police Department, with troops patrolling metro stations and tourist areas while collecting trash around the National Mall. FBI Director Kash Patel stated, “We will work together collaboratively because this is a matter of national security, because it’s a matter of pride.”

At about 2:15 p.m. local time, the suspect allegedly came around a corner at 17th and I streets NW, raised an arm, and shot at the Guardsmen, according to Jeffery Carroll, executive assistant chief for D.C. Metro Police. “There were other [Guard] members that were in the area,” Carroll said. “They were able to, after some back and forth, subdue the individual and bring them into custody.” He added, “We have reviewed video from the area,” stating, “It appears to be a lone gunman that raised the firearm and ambushed these members of the National Guard, and he was quickly taken into custody by other National Guard members and law enforcement members.”

Emergency medical responders transported all three victims to a hospital, according to Vito Maggiolo, public information officer for D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services, who spoke to WUSA-TV. One injured person was taken via medevac helicopter, while the others were taken by ambulance. The two Guardsmen were shot in an exchange of gunfire with the suspect. One Guard member was shot in the head, according to WUSA. No information was immediately released about who opened fire or why.

Witnesses told WUSA they heard two shots followed about 30 seconds later by three more, triggering people to run from the area. One witness said a group of children was nearby when the shooting began. Bowser said she briefed Attorney General Pam Bondi, who she said was on the phone with Trump when she called, as well as Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. “We join with the FBI director in ensuring that MPD investigates, [and] the U.S. attorney prosecutes this case to the fullest extent of the law.”

The National Guard released a statement shortly after the shooting, stating, “The health and safety of our service members is our top priority as we continue to support citizens and visitors of Washington, D.C.” War Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters Wednesday afternoon that Trump requested a deployment of 500 additional National Guard troops to Washington after news of the shooting. “The shooter shot in a cowardly, dastardly act targeting the best of America,” Hegseth said in a video posted on X. “Heroes willing to serve in Washington, D.C., serve for people they don’t know and never met because they love their country and their capital and their community. They were willing to do dangerous things others were not because they love their fellow Americans.”

Michael Katz is a Newsmax reporter with more than 30 years of experience reporting and editing on news, culture, and politics.
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