CIA confirms suspect in Washington DC national guard shooting had connections to agency

The individual accused of shooting two members of the National Guard in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday previously worked with military units supported by the CIA during the U.S. war in Afghanistan, according to agency confirmations. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, arrived in the United States in September 2021 under the Operation Allies Welcome initiative, which provided visas to certain Afghans who had collaborated with U.S. government programs. He was granted asylum in April 2025.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed Lakanwals connections with the agency, noting his role alongside U.S. special forces in Afghanistan. Reports indicate Lakanwal was involved with several U.S. government programs in the southern province of Kandahar, including CIA-supported counterterrorism teams known as zero units, responsible for missions to apprehend or eliminate suspected terrorists.

Ratcliffe explained that the Biden administration had justified Lakanwals relocation to the U.S. due to his prior government work, including with the CIA, which concluded shortly after the evacuation from Afghanistan.

The two victims were identified as Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24, both members of the West Virginia National Guard. Beckstrom died from her injuries on Thursday evening, while Wolfe remained in critical condition. Both had been sworn into service less than a day before being attacked at a bus stop.

Washington D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated that the suspect used a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver, shooting one guard twice before targeting the second. Other National Guard members on-site engaged and subdued the attacker, who is now in custody and receiving medical treatment.

Pirro said Lakanwal traveled from his home in Bellingham, Washington, with the intention of carrying out a planned and targeted attack. He faces charges including assault with intent to kill and possession of a firearm during a violent crime, with potential elevation to first-degree murder depending on the victims survival.

FBI Director Kash Patel described the shooting as a potential act of terrorism and confirmed the suspects prior association with U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Law enforcement conducted searches at Lakanwals residences in Washington and San Diego as part of a nationwide investigation, also examining possible overseas connections.

Following the attack, 500 additional National Guard troops were deployed to Washington, D.C. Former President Donald Trump criticized the Biden administrations vetting process for Afghan arrivals and called for a review of asylum and green card approvals, emphasizing stricter measures for individuals considered not aligned with U.S. interests.

In response, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) halted processing all Afghan immigration requests pending security reviews. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a broader review of asylum cases approved under the current administration. USCIS Director Joseph Edlow confirmed a comprehensive re-examination of green card approvals for nationals from countries deemed of concern under previous executive orders.

Analysis: The Complex Case of Rahmanullah Lakanwal

The shooting incident involving Rahmanullah Lakanwal raises significant questions regarding the U.S. vetting process for Afghan refugees and the broader implications for national security. While Lakanwal’s background as a collaborator with U.S. military units in Afghanistan may have been a factor in his relocation to the U.S. under the Operation Allies Welcome initiative, the attack he committed in Washington, D.C., reveals potential gaps in the thoroughness of the screening process for individuals granted asylum.

According to CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Lakanwal had worked closely with U.S. special forces and CIA-supported counterterrorism operations. Despite this, the details surrounding his motivations for the shooting remain unclear. FBI Director Kash Patel's classification of the act as a potential act of terrorism further complicates matters, hinting that Lakanwal may have had deeper motives that were not flagged during the initial asylum process. His attack on members of the National Guard, particularly following a swift and targeted plan, indicates a premeditated assault, leaving authorities to question whether his past affiliations with U.S. programs were fully assessed in the context of future threats.

The tragic loss of National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom and the critical injuries to Andrew Wolfe underscore the human cost of this security failure. As investigations unfold, the focus on Lakanwal’s past, including possible overseas connections, will likely play a crucial role in understanding how an individual with such a background was able to carry out a violent act on U.S. soil. The recent increase in National Guard deployments to D.C. and the broader security measures being implemented across the country demonstrate the gravity of this situation.

The political fallout is already evident, with former President Donald Trump criticizing the Biden administration’s handling of Afghan refugees. The decision to halt Afghan immigration requests pending security reviews by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reflects the heightened concern surrounding the vetting process. While it is essential to ensure that those who risked their lives working alongside the U.S. are given protection, this incident highlights the need for a more robust and cautious approach when considering security risks posed by individuals arriving under special immigration initiatives.

In the wake of this event, the broader question remains: how can the U.S. balance its moral obligation to protect those who helped in its military efforts abroad with the need to ensure national security? The investigation into Lakanwal's actions is only the beginning of a more extensive conversation about the future of U.S. immigration policies and the long-term impacts of the Afghan evacuation.

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• Suspect in Washington DC national guard shooting had ties to CIA, agency confirms