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The FBI confirmed this Wednesday that the author of the shooting that occurred just a few blocks from the White House, in which a member of the National Guard was killed, is the Afghan citizen Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who was detained at the scene of the attack after being shot by security forces.
According to a report from AP, the man, who allegedly entered the United States in September 2021 and resided in Washington state, opened fire on soldiers near the Farragut West Metro station in the heart of Washington D.C., in what authorities described as a "targeted attack."
The two National Guards, belonging to the West Virginia unit, were transferred with serious injuries to a hospital in the capital, where they died shortly after, confirmed Mayor Muriel Bowser alongside FBI Director Kash Patel.
The attack occurred around 2:20 p.m. local time when the suspect "turned the corner and began firing directly at the soldiers," reported D.C. Police Assistant Chief Jeffrey Carroll, who added that the assailant acted alone.
The attacker was subdued at the scene by other members of the National Guard who arrived upon hearing the gunshots, and according to NBC News, he also sustained a gunshot wound and was taken to a hospital. His injuries were not serious, and he is in federal custody.
Police sources confirmed that the suspect has been identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, according to four senior law enforcement officials briefed on the investigation.
Lakanwal would have entered the United States with a special SIV visa during Operation Allies Refuge following the withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
President Donald Trump, who was in Florida for the Thanksgiving holiday, was immediately informed of the incident.
In a message posted on his social media platform Truth Social, he warned that the responsible party "will pay a very high price" and sent a message of support to the military and law enforcement.
"God bless our great National Guard, all our Army, and the law enforcement forces. They are true heroes," the president stated.
The shooting prompted the temporary closure of several streets in downtown Washington and a precautionary lockdown of the White House, while helicopters flew over the area and teams from the FBI, ATF, and Secret Service secured the perimeter.
The attack comes amid a heated debate over security in the U.S. capital and the presence of federal troops, deployed by order of President Trump as part of his offensive against crime.
So far, the FBI has kept the investigation open and has not disclosed whether the attack had political or terrorist motivations.
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