Washington, DC – Two National Guard members were critically injured in a shooting near the White House, in an attack that federal authorities are investigating as an act of terrorism. The victims, 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, are members of the West Virginia National Guard and were deployed to the US capital as part of what President Donald Trump has described as an anticrime initiative.

According to US Attorney Jeanine Pirro, both Beckstrom and Wolfe underwent surgery following the ambush-style attack and remain in critical condition.

Details of the Attack

The incident occurred when a lone gunman opened fire using a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver, striking the National Guard members without provocation. Authorities identified the suspect as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who arrived in the United States in 2021 following the withdrawal of Western forces from Afghanistan.

Lakanwal, a resident of Washington state, reportedly drove across the country prior to the attack. He has been charged with three counts of assault with intent to kill and possession of a firearm, and remains hospitalized with injuries described as non-life-threatening. Pirro warned that charges could be upgraded to murder if either Guardsman does not survive.

FBI and Federal Response

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that the attack is being investigated as terrorism. A search warrant has been executed at Lakanwal’s home, and authorities continue to gather evidence regarding his motives and potential connections.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi urged the public to pray for the two wounded Guardsmen, emphasizing that the administration would seek the death penalty against the perpetrator if necessary.

Context: National Guard Deployment in DC

The shooting occurs amid heightened scrutiny over the Trump administration’s decision to deploy National Guard troops to Washington, DC, and other US cities to respond to rising crime rates. A federal judge recently ruled that the deployment was illegal, but enforcement of the decision has been delayed until December 11.

Following the attack, the administration sent 500 additional National Guard troops to DC, supplementing the nearly 2,200 already stationed in the capital.

Impact on Afghan Evacuees

The incident has prompted the Trump administration to review all Afghan arrivals to the US since the Biden-era withdrawal from Afghanistan. Immigration processing for Afghan nationals has been paused, and officials emphasized renewed scrutiny of individuals who entered under the Operation Allies Welcome program, which relocated around 77,000 Afghans to the United States.

John Ratcliffe, CIA Director, stated that the attacker had previously worked with the agency in southern Kandahar as part of a partner force before relocating to the US.

Concerns for the Afghan Community

The shooting has caused concern among Afghan evacuees and advocates, many of whom fear backlash or stigmatization. Shawn VanDiver, president of AfghanEvac, urged the public and media not to demonize the Afghan community for the actions of one individual.

Similarly, Richard Bennett, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, warned against collective punishment, emphasizing that “cool heads must prevail” and that the Afghan community should not face reprisals.

Looking Ahead

Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack, including the possibility of connections to extremist groups or prior radicalization. Security measures around the White House and federal buildings have been intensified, while federal agencies coordinate to prevent further incidents.

This incident highlights ongoing concerns about domestic security, National Guard deployments, and the integration of evacuees from conflict zones, sparking debates over immigration, counterterrorism, and public safety in the nation’s capital.