Afghan National Suspect in Targeted Ambush of National Guard Near White House, FBI Investigates as Potential Terrorism
Two West Virginia National Guard members were critically injured in a targeted ambush near the White House. An Afghan national suspect is in custody, with the FBI investigating for potential terrorism.
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Two National Guard members shot just blocks from the White House
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Two National Guard members critically injured in DC shooting
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Two National Guard members shot just blocks from the White House
Associated Press
Overview
- Two West Virginia National Guard members were critically injured in a targeted ambush shooting near the White House in Washington, D.C., leading to a White House lockdown.
- Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, was identified as the suspect, shot with non-life-threatening wounds and taken into custody as a 'lone gunman'.
- The FBI is investigating the incident as a potential act of terrorism, reviewing surveillance video to determine the motive behind the ambush-style attack on the Guardsmen.
- President Trump requested an additional 500 National Guard troops for D.C., vowing severe consequences for the perpetrator, adding to the 2,200 already deployed.
- The shooting occurred amidst a contentious National Guard deployment in D.C. to address crime, with a federal judge ordering an end to the deployment deemed illegal.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by prominently linking the suspect's identity as an "Afghan national" and his "illegal" immigration status to the "possible act of terrorism" investigation. They emphasize official statements regarding the severity of the attack and the suspect's background, creating a narrative that highlights national security concerns and the suspect's legal status as central to understanding the event.
"The rare shooting of National Guard members comes as the presence of the troops in the nation’s capital and other cities around the country has been a flashpoint issue for months, fueling court fights and a broader public policy debate about the Trump administration’s use of the military to combat what officials cast as an out-of-control crime problem."
Chicago Tribune"The soldiers were critically injured after being gunned down in Washington DC, less than two blocks from the White House, in what the city's mayor called a "targeted shooting"."
BBC News"The attack left both the National Guard members in critical condition, according to FBI Director Kash Patel."
USA TODAY"The victims, both members of the West Virginia National Guard, were "ambushed" outside a subway station in the heart of the nation's capital, Jeffery Caroll, executive assistant chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, told reporters."
USA TODAY"The two wounded soldiers from West Virginia remain in critical condition at local hospitals, FBI Director Kash Patel said."
USA TODAY"Their presence has unnerved some residents, who see it as presidential overreach on law enforcement."
Associated Press"How to make the nation's capital a safer city, and what role federal resources could play in that effort, is a complicated subject that deserves nuanced debate and discussion, not scorching hot takes."
Reason"The Trump administration plans to deploy another 500 members of the National Guard to the streets of Washington, D.C., Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday, hours after two service members were shot a few blocks away from the White House."
CBS News"The shooting happened roughly two blocks northwest of the White House."
Chicago Sun-Times"Two National Guard members from West Virginia were in critical condition after an unidentified man raised his arm and opened fire on them in an apparent "targeted attack," officials said."
ABC News"Following reductions in recent weeks, nearly 2,200 National Guard troops are currently in Washington DC after President Donald Trump launched his crime crackdown in the nation's capital in August."
USA TODAY"The suspect had been "severely wounded" and would "pay a very steep price.""
USA TODAY"The stunning announcement from Governor Morrisey saw the likes of MS Now and CNN ponder “the pressure to get information out” in the digital era and how mistakes can be made."
Deadline"A shooting in the heart of Washington, DC, on the day before Thanksgiving prompted officials to lock down multiple government buildings, including the the White House."
USA TODAY"Two members of the West Virginia National Guard were injured following a shooting near the White House in Washington, D.C."
NPR"The shooting happened roughly two blocks northwest of the White House."
Military Times"Two National Guard members are in critical condition after they were shot in a surprise attack near the White House in Washington, DC, on Nov. 26, officials said."
USA TODAY"Two West Virginia National Guard members who deployed to the nation’s capital were shot Wednesday just blocks from the White House in a brazen act of violence."
Associated PressArticles (51)
Center (18)
FAQ
The suspect is Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who was shot with non-life-threatening wounds and taken into custody as a lone gunman.
Two West Virginia National Guard members were critically injured in the ambush; initial conflicting reports on their condition exist, but they are hospitalized with critical injuries.
The FBI is investigating the incident as a potential act of terrorism, reviewing surveillance video to determine the motive behind the ambush-style attack on the Guardsmen.
President Trump requested an additional 500 National Guard troops for Washington, D.C., adding to the 2,200 already deployed, and vowed severe consequences for the perpetrator.
The National Guard members were deployed as part of President Trump's crime crackdown in D.C.; however, the deployment is contentious because a federal judge ordered an end to it, ruling it illegal.
History
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