A shocking incident unfolded yesterday near the White House when two West Virginia National Guardsmen were critically wounded in what authorities describe as a targeted ambush. The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national with ties to a CIA-backed paramilitary unit, has ignited a firestorm of controversy over U.S. immigration and vetting policies.
The attack occurred around 2:15 p.m. ET on Wednesday near Farragut Square, just blocks from the White House. According to Metropolitan Police Assistant Chief Jeff Carroll, Lakanwal allegedly ambushed the guardsmen, who were part of a high-visibility patrol. One victim, identified as Andrew Wolfe of Inwood, West Virginia, suffered a critical head wound and remains in surgery, while the second guardsman’s identity is yet to be released. Witnesses reported a chaotic scene, with one soldier carried away on a stretcher, his head covered in blood.
Lakanwal, who entered the United States in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome—a Biden-era program to resettle Afghan allies following the U.S. withdrawal—holds a Department of Defense record and a military ID badge listing him as an E-5 with the Kandahar Strike Force (KSF). This CIA-supported unit, based out of Firebase GECKO in southern Afghanistan, was known for conducting lethal night raids and counterterrorism operations alongside U.S. Special Forces. However, human rights groups like Human Rights Watch and The New York Times have documented allegations of civilian abuses by KSF members, raising questions about the vetting process.
Incoming CIA Director John Ratcliffe, speaking to Fox News, condemned the incident, stating, “The individual—and so many others—should have never been allowed to come here.” His remarks underscore growing concerns about the rushed evacuation of over 80,000 Afghans, many of whom were prioritized for resettlement due to their service with U.S. forces. A Trump administration official, speaking anonymously, revealed that Lakanwal applied for asylum in December 2024 and was approved on April 23, 2025, three months into Trump’s second term. Despite no prior criminal history, the suspect’s actions have prompted an immediate and indefinite halt to immigration processing for Afghan nationals, pending a review of security protocols.
The FBI’s joint terrorism task force is leading the investigation, exploring possible ideological motives after reports that Lakanwal shouted “Allahu Akbar” during the attack. The suspect, who resides in Washington state and reportedly worked for Amazon in recent months, was wounded in an exchange of gunfire with another guardsman and is now in custody. President Donald Trump, from his Florida resort, called the shooting “an act of evil, an act of hatred, and an act of terror,” announcing plans to “re-examine” all Afghans resettled during the Biden administration.
The incident has intensified political tensions. Vice President JD Vance praised the Trump administration’s immigration stance, urging stricter deportation measures, while critics argue the policy’s broad application risks targeting legally present individuals. In response, Trump has ordered an additional 500 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., bolstering the existing 2,200 deployed since August as part of his crime crackdown.
As the guardsmen fight for their lives and their families hold vigil, this tragedy has sparked a national debate over the balance between honoring allies and ensuring domestic security. The full scope of Lakanwal’s motives and the effectiveness of U.S. vetting processes remain under intense scrutiny as the investigation continues.