The White House shooting has left the US tense as new details slowly surface. Officials remain quiet about the investigation, and the actions of the Afghan suspect are still not fully known, adding to the growing concern around the attack near the White House.
On 26 November 2025, the USA witnessed one of the most concerning security breaches and attacks in recent history. Two members of the West Virginia National Guard, deployed in Washington D.C. as part of expanded security patrols, were shot while on “high visibility patrol" by an Afghan Immigrant.
The shooting ensued at around 2:15 P.M., while the guardsmen Sarah Beckstrom (age 20) and Andrew Wolfe (age 24) were on a patrol near the intersection of 17th and I Streets NW, close to the metro station at Farragut West station, just a couple of blocks from the White House perimeter.
Many witnesses reported that the suspect approached from around a corner and opened fire. One guard was shot first; the second was hit as he tried to take cover. Police estimated that around 10 to 15 shots were fired in the exchange. However, it is also reported that the suspect was wounded during the return fire.
After the investigations, the suspect was identified as a 29-year-old Afghan Immigrant, Rahmanullah Lakanwal. Reports have revealed that Lakanwal entered the US under the post-Afghanistan-war resettlement programme (under the operation that evacuated many Afghans). He had previously served in a paramilitary unit in Afghanistan allied with the CIA.
No evidence has been found suggesting an external involvement in the attack. The officials and the witnesses have confirmed that Lakanwal acted alone.
Read this report for more information about the suspect!
The US federal systems, like the FBI, have decided to treat this incident as "an act of terror". As a response, the US Government has also agreed to review their immigration laws and review immigration and asylum cases for Afghan nationals admitted under the post-withdrawal resettlement programme. The investigations are being executed in secrecy with little information available to the general public.
Sarah Beckstrom passed away on 27 November, succumbing to the severity of her injuries, whereas Andrew Wolfe remains in critical condition. President Trump expressed his condolences towards the family of the guards and assured the citizens of the country that the Government is working on the investigation of the incident.
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