Former special forces commander in Afghanistan identified as Washington gunman

A man who shot two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., previously served as a commander in Afghanistan's special forces and collaborated closely with U.S. troops, according to The Telegraph. Both soldiers remain in critical condition following the attack, which occurred just yards from the White House. One victim was reportedly shot in the head.

Identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the suspect was wounded during a brief gunfire exchange before his arrest. Lakanwal was evacuated from Afghanistan following the fall of Kabul in 2021. The U.S. State Department announced a review of asylum cases granted under the Biden administration shortly after the incident.

Lakanwals identification card lists him as a commander in Unit 01, an elite branch of the former Afghan National Directorate of Security (NDS). This unit was one of four strike teams operating with CIA support during the U.S.-backed Afghan government in Kabul. He reportedly collaborated with U.S. and NATO forces in Kandahar while residing in Khost, near the Pakistan border. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed his work with American partner forces.

Evacuated to the United States via Operation Allies Welcome on September 8, 2021, Lakanwal was initially sponsored by a local religious organization and held low-wage jobs while his immigration case was processed. His parole expired in mid-2024, leaving him undocumented, after which he applied for asylum in December citing fears of Taliban retaliation. After vetting, he received asylum and a work permit in April under the Trump administration. Neighbors described him as increasingly withdrawn, with deleted social media posts suggesting anti-Western sentiment, though this has not been confirmed.

A childhood friend described Lakanwal as struggling with mental health issues and traumatized by casualties during the Afghan conflict. Investigators are examining potential extremist contacts, while the motive for the attack remains unclear. U.S. authorities claim he drove cross-country from Washington state to Washington, D.C. to commit the attack.

Lakanwal lived in a modest $2,000-a-month apartment in Bellingham, Washington, which the FBI raided following the shooting. Neighbors described a quiet lifestyle, often seen playing video games. Lakanwal, his wife, and five children arrived in the U.S. in 2021. The apartment was sparsely furnished, with family members reportedly sleeping on couch cushions. Authorities conducted the raid approximately 16 hours after the incident, reportedly yelling "FBI" during entry.

The injured National Guard members have been identified as 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe. Both had been sworn in less than 24 hours before the shooting. Beckstroms father described her injuries as life-threatening. Wolfes former school, Musselman High, extended their support online, highlighting his love for cornhole, a popular lawn game.

District Attorney Jeanine Pirro described the families of the injured soldiers as shattered and torn apart. Former President Donald Trump condemned the attack, calling it an act of evil, hatred, and terror and ordering an additional 500 National Guard troops to D.C. He criticized the Biden administrations evacuation program, emphasizing a review of all Afghan arrivals for potential removal.

Video footage from the scene showed emergency personnel attending to the victims near a shattered bus shelter. Authorities reported that the National Guard members were on a high-visibility patrol when the suspect opened fire. Other guards subdued Lakanwal and took him into custody.

Afghan-American community members expressed anger and disappointment over the incident, emphasizing that most evacuees sought peace in the U.S. They criticized failures in the vetting process of certain resettled individuals. In the UK, nearly 24,000 Afghan soldiers and families were granted asylum following a major data breach, prompting questions about vetting procedures for resettlement programs.

Analysis: The Complex Background Behind the D.C. Shooting

The recent shooting of two National Guard members by Rahmanullah Lakanwal exposes a convergence of past military experience, mental health challenges, and gaps in post-evacuation oversight. Lakanwal’s history as an elite Afghan special forces commander, who collaborated with U.S. and NATO troops, contrasts sharply with his later status as an undocumented immigrant and asylum recipient. This trajectory highlights both the opportunities and risks in managing high-risk evacuee populations.

The attack also underscores challenges in monitoring individuals who have been granted asylum under humanitarian programs. While Lakanwal’s motivations remain unclear, authorities are examining potential extremist contacts and mental health issues. The cross-country travel and targeted attack near the White House suggest premeditation, raising questions about screening and support systems for resettled veterans of conflict zones.

Beyond the immediate tragedy, the incident has triggered a broader political response. The State Department’s review of Afghan asylum cases, coupled with public criticism of evacuation and resettlement processes, reflects growing scrutiny of past decisions. Communities and law enforcement now face the dual challenge of safeguarding national security while ensuring fair treatment for those who fled warzones. This case may prompt policy changes affecting future evacuee programs and security vetting procedures.

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• Washington gunman was special forces commander in Afghanistan