Gun attack near White House: Afghan national identified as suspect; FBI treating incident as potential terror act

Washington: A shocking shooting incident near the White House on Wednesday afternoon left two National Guard soldiers critically injured, sending waves of alarm across the U.S. capital.

The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was also seriously injured in the exchange and was taken into custody at the scene. The FBI has announced that it is investigating the shooting as a possible act of terrorism.

The attack occurred near 17th Street and I Street NW, a short distance from the White House perimeter. According to police sources, the suspect abruptly opened fire on patrolling National Guard personnel.

Other guards at the scene quickly retaliated, neutralizing the attacker before he could flee. Emergency responders rushed the two injured soldiers and the suspect to separate hospitals, where all three remain in critical condition.

Following the shooting, the White House and several nearby federal buildings were placed under temporary lockdown as a precaution. President Donald Trump, who is away for the Thanksgiving holiday, issued a statement strongly condemning the incident.

“This was a deliberate and brutal attack on our brave servicemen. The attacker will face the full force of justice. Our National Guard members and law enforcement officers are true heroes,” Trump said.

FBI Director Kash Patel stated in a briefing that preliminary findings suggest the attack was premeditated and targeted specifically at security personnel. Investigators are examining the suspect’s background and possible connections. According to Department of Homeland Security sources, Lakanwal arrived in the United States in 2021 from Afghanistan under humanitarian parole.

In response to the incident, the Trump administration ordered the deployment of an additional 500 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., to reinforce security. Metropolitan Police official Jeffrey Carroll confirmed that no additional suspects are currently being sought. “This was a direct assault on federal security forces. At this stage, we believe the attacker acted alone,” he said.

The shooting, occurring in one of the most heavily guarded zones in the country, has once again raised concerns over security vulnerabilities in the nation’s capital. The FBI and local law enforcement agencies are jointly investigating to determine the suspect’s motive, affiliations, and whether the attack was inspired or supported by extremist groups. Further details are expected as the probe progresses.

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