Afghan Evacuee with CIA Ties Arrested After Shooting That Critically Wounded Two National Guard Members Near White House
A November 26, 2025, shooting near the White House in Northwest Washington on Wednesday evening critically wounded two National Guard members; authorities arrested 29-year-old Afghan evacuee Rahmanullah Lakanwal, and the FBI launched an international terrorism investigation.
Key takeaways
- Date and place: November 26, 2025, near the White House in Northwest Washington, D.C.; initial coverage by Time.
- Victims: Two National Guard members were critically injured and taken to hospital (reported by Time).
- Suspect: Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan evacuee with reported ties to U.S. forces and the CIA, taken into custody at the scene (reported by Time and the Times of India).
- Investigation: The FBI is treating the case as “international terrorism” while probing possible foreign ties (FBI statements and video reporting: video report).
The incident
What happened: On the evening before Thanksgiving, gunfire erupted near the White House fence in Northwest Washington. Witnesses and law enforcement reported that two members of the National Guard assigned to protect the presidential complex were hit and rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Police detained a man at the scene and later identified him as 29-year-old Afghan evacuee Rahmanullah Lakanwal.
Federal authorities quickly became involved; the FBI announced an international terrorism investigation while probing whether any foreign extremist groups were involved. Initial scene coverage and reporting are available from Time and video reports online (video report).
Who is the suspect: background and U.S. ties
Personal history: Officials and reports say Lakanwal was born in Kabul in 1996 and later worked closely with U.S. forces during the final years of the war in Afghanistan. He served as a logistics coordinator for a U.S. contractor, supporting operations in Helmand Province.
CIA connection: Reporting indicates Lakanwal worked with the CIA while serving as a member of a partner force in Kandahar. CIA Director John Ratcliffe said Lakanwal operated as an E-5 member of a CIA-backed Kandahar Strike Force that worked alongside U.S. special forces out of a base known as Firebase GECKO (Times of India).
Resettlement and asylum: After the Taliban takeover, Lakanwal came to the United States in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome. He filed for asylum in December 2024, citing fear of Taliban reprisals due to his work with U.S. forces. Records reviewed during his application included biometric checks, interviews and interagency reviews. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reportedly approved his asylum claim in April 2025 under the Trump administration, granting him protected status and a work permit. His asylum file included letters of support from at least four U.S. Marines he had assisted in 2019 (Times of India).
Social media, behavior and questions about radicalization
Neighbors in Lakanwal’s Alexandria, Virginia apartment complex told reporters he had become more withdrawn over the summer of 2025. Investigators found a now-deleted X account with posts that included anti-Western sentiment and shares of Taliban material, according to reporting. Authorities are examining whether Lakanwal had contacts with overseas extremist networks, though as of the latest updates they had not publicly confirmed operational ties to foreign groups (Times of India).
Official responses and political reaction
President Donald Trump called the attack a “heinous assault,” describing it as “an act of evil and act of hatred and an act of terror,” and said it was “a crime against our entire nation” and “a crime against humanity.” The White House and federal agencies have not released full details of the ongoing probe but said they are coordinating closely with the FBI, Secret Service and local law enforcement (Time).
The episode has already sparked sharp debate in Washington. Some lawmakers and commentators are calling for fresh reviews of vetting and asylum procedures for Afghan evacuees and for those who worked with U.S. forces or intelligence agencies. Advocates for Afghan partners warn tighter restrictions could endanger many who risked their lives to assist Americans and deter future cooperation. Organizations such as No One Left Behind and Veterans for Afghan Allies have argued the U.S. has a moral duty to protect interpreters and contractors (Times of India).
Vetting process under scrutiny
Reports say Lakanwal’s case included multiple agency checks before his asylum approval. Still, the shooting intensified calls for a public review of vetting methods used for Afghan evacuees and those who worked directly with U.S. forces or intelligence agencies. Experts note vetting can be robust but not perfect; it relies on records, witness statements, biometric data and intelligence checks that are sometimes incomplete in conflict zones. Officials say investigations will examine whether any red flags were missed and whether procedural changes are needed (Time; Times of India).
Implications for the world
Economic impact: Immediate effects are limited, but long-term consequences may include higher security costs at diplomatic sites, embassies and high-profile public buildings worldwide. Governments may invest more in physical protection and intelligence checks, increasing security budgets.
Political consequences: The shooting will influence debates about migration, refugee screening and intelligence cooperation. Allied capitals that accepted Afghan evacuees or coordinated resettlement with the U.S. may face pressure to review their vetting processes.
Social effects: The attack risks fueling anti-immigrant sentiment, potentially harming integration efforts and social cohesion in communities that welcomed Afghan evacuees.
Cultural relevance: The incident highlights complex loyalties and traumas faced by local intermediaries who assisted foreign forces, sparking discussion about balancing protection for allies with measures to prevent violence without stigmatizing entire communities.
Practical applications: Governments and aid groups should re-examine mental health and monitoring services for evacuees and veterans. Reports of behavioral change and social media activity suggest early intervention, community outreach and better support systems could help identify warning signs. Improved intelligence-sharing, record-keeping and clearer asylum review procedures may reduce future risks.
Sources and reporting
This report draws on official statements and reporting from multiple outlets. Key accounts and background information are from Time, aggregated national reporting including the Times of India, and video reporting of the scene and the FBI’s initial statements (video report).
For ongoing updates and official documents, see reporting and statements from: Time; Times of India; video report.
Keywords included in reporting
White House shooting Afghan evacuee; Rahmanullah Lakanwal CIA; National Guard Washington D.C. attack.
