Suspect in National Guard shooting had worked with CIA in Afghanistan

Authorities reported that Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan man, is accused of shooting two National Guard members in downtown Washington DC. Officials revealed that he had previously collaborated with the CIA during his time in Afghanistan.

Lakanwal drove thousands of miles from the west coast to carry out an ambush-style attack on Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24, in close proximity to the White House. Both victims remain in critical condition in hospital.

He entered the United States in 2021 under a program providing special immigration protections for Afghans after Americas withdrawal from Afghanistan. During his time in Afghanistan, Lakanwal assisted US forces at Kabul airport, helping thousands evacuate before the Taliban regained power, according to a former military commander who served with him.

Previously, he had been part of Unit 03 of the Kandahar Strike Force, also known as the Scorpion Forces. Initially operating under the CIA, the unit later worked with Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security. Lakanwal specialized in GPS tracking and was described as a "sporty and cheerful" individual. His unit relocated from Kandahar to Kabul shortly before the Taliban's takeover and continued airport protection until their evacuation to the US.

At a press briefing, FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed Lakanwals ties to US forces, noting his relationship with partner forces in Afghanistan before immigrating. Under the Biden administrations Operation Allies Welcome, around 77,000 Afghans were allowed into the US with special protections to prevent retaliation for cooperating with US forces.

Lakanwal, now 29, entered the US through this program on humanitarian parole in 2021. He later applied for asylum in 2024, which was granted earlier this year, while his green card application remains under review.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe stated that the Biden administration justified allowing Lakanwal into the US due to his previous work with the US government, including CIA-related operations in Kandahar.

The District of Columbia US Attorney, Jeanine Pirro, described the shooting as "targeted," noting that Lakanwal had driven across the country from Bellingham, Washington to commit the attack. Following the incident, other National Guard members on the scene subdued Lakanwal. He faces multiple charges, including assault with intent to kill and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, which could result in over a decade of imprisonment. Lakanwal is currently hospitalized due to injuries sustained during his apprehension.

Following the shooting, former President Trump labeled the act as "terrorism" and announced plans to review the status of all Afghan entrants under Bidens program. Immigration from Afghanistan was temporarily suspended, and Trump directed a comprehensive review of Green Cards for individuals from countries deemed concerning. Additionally, 500 more National Guard members will patrol Washington DC streets, supplementing over 2,000 troops already deployed to the city since August to address crime concerns. While National Guard troops serve as a military reserve force, they cannot enforce the law or make arrests.

<h2>Author’s Analysis</h2> <p>This incident highlights a complex intersection of national security, immigration policy, and past US operational partnerships abroad. Rahmanullah Lakanwal’s documented cooperation with US and CIA-linked forces in Afghanistan was a determining factor in his admission to the United States under humanitarian parole in 2021.</p> <p>According to federal authorities, his immigration status evolved lawfully: entry under Operation Allies Welcome, followed by an asylum application approved in 2025, with permanent residency still pending. These facts confirm that existing vetting and legal frameworks were followed at each procedural stage.</p> <p>The shooting in Washington DC is being treated by prosecutors as a targeted act, not a random incident. Law enforcement has established that Lakanwal traveled from Washington State with intent, and charges filed reflect a criminal, not immigration, classification of the case.</p> <p>Policy responses announced after the attack, including a suspension of Afghan immigration and expanded status reviews, represent political and security measures taken after the fact. They do not alter the verified timeline of Lakanwal’s entry, service history, or legal presence in the United States at the time of the shooting.</p>

Sources:

• National Guard shooting suspect worked with CIA in Afghanistan