The White Home was only a few blocks from the scene of the assault. Credit score: OVSEGL
On Wednesday, Nov. 26, what was presupposed to be a routine patrol simply blocks from the White Home changed into a horrifying scene after two Nationwide Guardsmen have been shot and left in vital situation.
The assault occurred round 2:15 p.m. close to the intersection of seventeenth Avenue and Eye Block, a busy space with workplace employees having lunch. Police stated the gunman got here round a nook and fired immediately on the patrol, inflicting life-threatening accidents to the troopers, earlier than different models returned fireplace and overpowered them.
“This was a focused taking pictures,” Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser stated, stressing that investigators imagine the gunman acted alone.
Suspect recognized as Afghan nationwide resettled in US in 2021
Authorities later recognized the suspect as Rahmanullah Rakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan nationwide who entered america in 2021. Operational allies welcome – A Biden-era plan created to resettle Afghans who helped American troops through the conflict.
The person has no legal historical past, and investigators are investigating the motive.
Lakhanwal utilized for asylum in December 2024 and was permitted in April this 12 months, in accordance with a former Trump administration official cited by Reuters. Hours after the taking pictures, U.S. immigration officers introduced they have been instantly suspending all immigration purposes from Afghan nationals whereas vetting procedures have been reviewed.
The White Home’s response was swift. President Donald Trump launched a video from his Florida resort calling the assault “an act of evil, hate and terrorism” and vowing to assessment the standing of all Afghans admitted to the nation below the Biden administration. Vice President J.D. Vance went additional, saying the incident proves the administration was proper to tighten immigration enforcement.
Chaos in central Washington
The taking pictures occurred subsequent to Farragut Sq., a well-liked lunchtime park surrounded by cafes, eating places and two subway stations. Witnesses described the second of confusion and panic when gunshots rang out.
Mike Ryan, 55, stated, “I heard what seemed like gunshots, so I ran away.” “Once I got here again, there have been two troopers on the bottom and folks have been making an attempt to resuscitate considered one of them,” he stated.
One other witness, Emma McDonald, stated she noticed one of many victims being carried away on a stretcher with “a bloody head”.
Nationwide Guard troops have been stationed throughout Washington since August as a part of President Trump’s controversial crime and immigration crackdown. About 2,200 troopers are already deployed to the capital, and protection officers stated 500 extra have been being despatched in response to the most recent assault.
President Trump has repeatedly claimed that the deployment has “eradicated” crime from town, a declare that contradicts official police statistics.