Who is the suspect Rahmanullah Lakanwal, shot by the National Guard?

An Afghan man, previously a US ally in Afghanistan, allegedly shot two National Guard members near the White House last week. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, spent recent years in Washington state with his family, reportedly struggling to adapt and dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Lakanwal served with the CIA for over a decade in Afghanistan before the US withdrawal. His work with US forces led to his relocation to the United States in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, a program resettling Afghans who had collaborated with American troops and diplomats.

The attack left one National Guard member dead and another critically injured. Lakanwal himself was wounded and hospitalized; his current condition is unclear. Authorities have charged him with first-degree murder and indicated that additional charges are likely, according to the US attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro.

Investigators have been examining Lakanwals background to understand his motive. Sources report that his family informed authorities he suffered from PTSD related to his service in a CIA-trained Afghan special forces unit known as the Zero Unit. Emails obtained by The Associated Press detail his difficulties adjusting to life in the US, including periods of isolation, erratic cross-country travel, unemployment, and trouble maintaining routines and family responsibilities.

Neighbors described Lakanwal as quiet and previously friendly but noted he had become withdrawn. He lived in Bellingham, Washington, with his wife, five children, and two nephews. Emails shared with refugee support organizations highlighted episodes where the family struggled with basic living conditions and evoked concern about his mental health, though there was no prior indication of potential violence toward others.

Lakanwal reportedly held a brief contract with Amazons Flex delivery service but had difficulty maintaining stable employment. He also alternated between weeks of isolation and impulsive long-distance trips. Authorities say he drove from Bellingham to Washington, DC, prior to the attack.

Officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, have suggested Lakanwal may have been radicalized while in the US, though details remain unclear. His work with the CIA began around 2011, and he was repeatedly vetted for terrorist connections before being admitted to the US in 2021. Government sources confirm he was clean on initial security checks but note that vetting did not assess his suitability for life and integration in the US community.

Following his asylum approval in 2024, Lakanwal underwent further screenings, but no systemic lapses were found. A Justice Department audit indicated that expedited evacuations during Operation Allies Welcome increased the possibility of potential threats, though no direct failures were reported.

The FBI continues to investigate Lakanwals actions, interactions, and state of mind leading up to the attack, seeking a clearer understanding of how a former US partner in Afghanistan came to commit violence on American soil.

Author: Sophia Brooks