D.C. National Guard shooting investigation live updates as new details emerge about suspect
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A shocking ambush in Washington, D.C., that left two National Guard members wounded has ignited a furious debate over national security and immigration policy, as authorities piece together the disturbing profile of the alleged assailant. The incident, which occurred outside a metro station, saw an Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, open fire on uniformed personnel in what law enforcement sources described as a "clear ambush" and a "calculated attack." As new details continue to surface, the U.S. Attorney’s office is aggressively pursuing a motive, while the federal government has dramatically paused all immigration applications for Afghan nationals in the wake of the shooting.
The attack, updated on November 27, 2025, at 9:47 AM EST by CBS News, has drawn sharp condemnation and immediate political repercussions. Reporters Kerry Breen and Faris Tanyos, alongside Alex Sundby, Pat Milton, Olivia Gazis, Tucker Reals, and Camilo Montoya-Galvez, have been tracking the unfolding investigation and its far-reaching implications. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is currently uncooperative with authorities, complicating efforts to swiftly understand the motivations behind his violent actions.
Lakanwal’s journey to the United States and his background have become central to the escalating controversy. Federal authorities identified him as an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in September 2021, on humanitarian parole following the chaotic American military withdrawal from Afghanistan. This mechanism allowed tens of thousands of Afghan evacuees into the country. According to a Department of Homeland Security official, Lakanwal later applied for asylum with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in 2024, a request that was granted in 2025. While his application for a green card remains pending, he holds legal status as an asylee.
Prior to his arrival in the U.S., Lakanwal possessed a significant military background. CBS News learned that he had led a unit of Afghan special forces in the southern region of Afghanistan, working directly alongside U.S. and British forces for two decades. A CIA spokesperson confirmed on Thursday that Lakanwal "previously worked with the U.S. government, including CIA, as a member of a partner force in Kandahar that ended in 2021." This history of collaboration with American forces stands in stark contrast to his alleged actions this week. A former Afghan commando, speaking to CBS News, indicated that Lakanwal was deeply affected by personal tragedy, specifically the death of a close friend and fellow Afghan commander in 2024, who had unsuccessfully sought asylum in the U.S. This emotional distress, though not yet directly linked to a motive by investigators, adds a complex layer to Lakanwal’s psychological profile.
The sequence of events leading to the shooting was described by law enforcement sources as swift and brutal. The two National Guard members, deployed as part of a high-visibility foot patrol focused on "presence-based security, not active policing," were stationed outside a metro station. They were deputized for their deployment but lacked law enforcement powers, including arrest authority. Without any warning, Lakanwal allegedly launched his attack. The first victim, a female Guard member, was immediately struck and collapsed, sustaining at least two gunshot wounds. Sources revealed that Lakanwal, initially armed with a handgun containing four rounds, expended his ammunition. In a chilling escalation, he then reportedly seized the fallen Guardswoman’s weapon and continued his assault, striking the second Guard member. The quick thinking and courage of other Guardsmen ultimately brought the attack to an end. A third Guardsman bravely engaged Lakanwal with a pocketknife, while a fourth returned fire, shooting the suspect multiple times and neutralizing the threat. The wounded Guard members were rushed for medical attention, their conditions remaining a critical concern for the community and military leadership.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro addressed the media, stating that it was "too soon to say what the motive is" for the shooting. However, she affirmed that "there are definitely areas that we’re looking into, but not ready to say." This cautious approach underscores the complexity of the investigation, particularly given the suspect’s refusal to cooperate. Pirro also revealed that Lakanwal had driven across the country from Bellingham, Washington, where he resided with his wife and children, to Washington, D.C., specifically for the attack. The extensive planning implied by such a cross-country journey suggests a premeditated act, intensifying the urgency to uncover the underlying reasons for his actions. Investigators are likely examining Lakanwal’s digital footprint, any communications, and his personal history for clues that could shed light on his state of mind and potential grievances.
The political fallout from the shooting was immediate and severe. The Trump administration, responding swiftly to the incident, announced an indefinite pause on the processing of all immigration applications for Afghan nationals. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a statement confirming this drastic measure, citing the need for "further review of security and vetting protocols." The statement emphasized, "The protections and safety of our homeland and of the American people remains our singular focus and mission." President Trump, in an address Wednesday night, directly linked the incident to past immigration policies, declaring, "We must now reexamine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan under Biden."
CIA Director John Ratcliffe echoed this sentiment, issuing a strong condemnation of the Biden administration’s handling of Afghan evacuees. Ratcliffe stated that "the Biden Administration justified bringing the alleged shooter to the United States in September 2021 due to his prior work with the U.S. Government, including CIA, as a member of a partner force in Kandahar, which ended shortly following the chaotic evacuation. This individual — and so many others — should have never been allowed to come here. Our citizens and servicemembers deserve far better than to endure the ongoing fallout from the Biden Administration’s catastrophic failures. God Bless our brave troops." These statements underscore a growing political divide on immigration and national security, with the D.C. shooting serving as a potent flashpoint.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the National Guard community and the residents of Washington, D.C., raising questions about the safety of deployed personnel and the efficacy of current vetting processes for asylum seekers. The valor displayed by the Guardsmen who defended their comrades and neutralized the threat has been widely praised, but the attack itself highlights the inherent dangers faced by those serving to protect the nation. As the investigation progresses, the focus will remain on determining the full scope of Lakanwal’s motivations, ensuring accountability, and evaluating the long-term implications for U.S. immigration and national security policies. The profound questions raised by this calculated act of violence against those in uniform will undoubtedly continue to shape public discourse for the foreseeable future.
