DC shooting: 2 National Guard members critical, terrorism suspected

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump has called for a reinvestigation of all Afghan refugees admitted under the Biden administration following a Wednesday shooting near the White House that critically injured two West Virginia National Guard members in what D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser described as a targeted attack.

The incident is being investigated as a possible act of terrorism, according to Fox News.  

The suspect, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is believed to have entered the U.S. legally in September 2021 following the United States' withdrawal from Afghanistan. 

What we know:

West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey had previously posted on X saying that the two guard members had died, but has since posted saying the following: 

"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," the post reads. "Our prayers are with these brave service members, their families, and the entire Guard community." 

What we know:

Emergency vehicles, the Joint D.C. Task Force and the Washington Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives responded to the incident. The FBI is also assisting in the investigation. 

The shooting occurred roughly two blocks northwest of the White House. Jeffrey Carroll, executive assistant chief of the Metropolitan Police Department said at a press conference later Wednesday. He said that the "suspect came around the corner, raised his arm with a firearm and discharged it at the National Guard." 

Then, other National Guard members who were in the area were "able to subdue the individual and bring them into custody within moments." 

"It appears to be a lone gunman that raised a firearm and ambushed these members of the National Guard," Carroll added. "At this point, we have no other suspects." 

One of the National Guard members was shot in the head, according to a person familiar with the incident. Emergency medical responders transported all three people involved to a hospital, said Vito Maggiolo, public information officer for D.C. Fire and Emergency Services.

The suspect's injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, according to a law enforcement official who spoke with The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. Carroll added that it's not clear whether one of the Guard members or a law enforcement officer shot the suspect.

Social media footage captured first responders performing CPR on one of the National Guard members and treating the other on a glass-covered sidewalk. 

After President Donald Trump was briefed on the situation earlier in the day, the White House was placed on lockdown, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Several embassies in D.C. were locked down in response to the incident as well.

Trump was reportedly at his West Palm Beach golf course when the shooting took place.

What they're saying:

The president responded to the incident on Truth Social, saying "God bless our great National Guard, and all of our military and law enforcement. These are truly great people. I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!"

"We’re not going to put up with these kinds of assaults on law and order by people who shouldn’t even be in our country," he later said in a video message. "We must now re-examine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan under Biden, and we must take all necessary measures to ensure the removal of any alien from any country who does not belong here or add benefit to our country." 

"America will never bend and never yield in the face of terror, and at the same time, we will not be deterred from our mission," he added. 

United States Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said on X that she and her office "stand ready to seek justice in this case."

The Department of Homeland Security also issued a statement:

The suspect who shot our brave National Guardsmen is an Afghan national who was one of the many unvetted, mass paroled into the United States under Operation Allies Welcome on September 8, 2021, under the Biden Administration. I will not utter this depraved individual’s name. He should be starved of the glory he so desperately wants. These men and women of the National Guard are mothers, fathers, sisters, daughters, children of God, carrying out the same basic public safety and immigration laws enshrined in law for decades. The politicians and media who continue to vilify our men and women in uniform need to take a long hard look in the mirror. Bryon and I will be praying hard for these two National Guardsmen, their families, and every American who puts on uniform to defend our freedom.

What's next:

The Trump administration quickly ordered 500 more National Guard members to Washington following the shooting. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said President Donald Trump asked him to send the extra troops shortly after the incident occurred. 

The National Guard's presence in Washington has been a contentious issue, with more than 300 West Virginia National Guard members deployed in August. Recently, about 160 volunteered to extend their deployment while others returned to West Virginia. 

Last week, a federal judge ordered an end to the deployment but also put her order on hold for 21 days to allow the Trump administration time to either remove the troops or appeal the decision.