Afghan suspect in White House shooting has worked with US agencies
The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was taken into custody following Wednesday’s attack in central Washington, D.C. Both guardsmen, hailing from West Virginia, are reported to be in critical condition.
Following the incident, US immigration authorities halted all processing for Afghan nationals, though no timeline was provided for when it might resume.
Lakanwal entered the United States in September 2021 under a federal resettlement initiative for Afghan nationals, which followed the US military’s exit from Afghanistan, the fall of the previous government, and the Taliban’s return to power. Reports indicate that Lakanwal had served with a partner force in Kandahar that worked closely with US agencies, including the CIA.
Speaking on the matter, CIA Director John Ratcliffe said: "In the wake of the disastrous Biden withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Biden administration justified bringing the alleged shooter to the United States in September 2021 due to his prior work with the US government, including the CIA, as a member of a partner force in Kandahar, which ended shortly following the chaotic evacuation."
He added: “The individual—and so many others—should have never been allowed to come here.”
Authorities are reportedly investigating whether the shooting was motivated by international terrorism. President Donald Trump condemned the attack in a video statement, calling it “an act of terror” and “a crime against humanity.” He added, “This heinous assault was an act of evil and hatred.”
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