Two National Guards Seriously Wounded Near White House

On Wednesday (Nov. 26, 2025), two members of the National Guard were shot just blocks from the White House in Washington, D.C. The attack occurred around the busy area near Farragut Square / 17th & H Streets NW.

According to law-enforcement statements, the shooting was described as a “targeted attack.” The alleged shooter was apprehended — he was also shot during the exchange and is now in custody.

Initial reports had mistakenly claimed the Guardsmen were killed, but officials later clarified that both were critically wounded and alive.

Who’s Involved: The Victims & The Suspect

The Guard members shot are from the West Virginia National Guard. Their names haven’t been publicly released yet.

Authorities have identified the suspect as a 29-year-old man named Rahmanullah Lakanwal. He came to the U.S. in 2021 under the resettlement programme Operation Allies Welcome and was granted asylum earlier this year.

He is being held in custody under police guard — wounded but alive. Investigators are still trying to determine the motive, though they called the incident an “act of terror.”

The Fallout: Security, Politics & Public Reaction

Immediately after the shooting, security was surged in Washington, D.C. — the heart of the U.S. government. The area was locked down, investigations began, and the shooting sparked renewed debate about troop deployment in the capital.

The head of government called it a “heinous assault.”

Given the suspect’s background and the uncertainty around motive, the incident is stirring broader political and social tensions — especially around immigration vetting and security.

What We Still Don’t Know

• Why the suspect targeted those particular Guardsmen — no clear motive has been released
• Whether the attack was random or premeditated, though authorities lean toward “targeted.”
• The full identities and conditions of the injured — we know they’re in critical condition, but we have few personal details beyond that.
• Whether others were involved — law enforcement says the suspected shooter appears to have acted alone, and no other suspects have been named.

Why This Incident Matters

This shooting is a rare — and alarming — attack on U.S. military personnel inside the country, especially so close to the seat of power. It raises serious questions about domestic security, the safety of deployed troops in civilian spaces, and how vulnerable even heavily guarded areas can be.

Because of the suspect’s immigrant background and the ongoing debates over immigration, resettlement, and national security, this incident could have wide political ripple effects. It also underscores the risk for servicemembers working in roles that mix military and domestic policing duties.

Finally — for the many Americans watching — it’s a reminder that the threat of targeted violence remains real, even near heavily guarded landmarks.

You might also want to read: Poll Finds Majority of Americans Oppose Trump Deploying National Guard to U.S. Cities