TL;DR
Two West Virginia Guardsmen were ambushed steps from the White House. The November 2025 DC National Guard shooting suspect was named as Rahmanullah Lakanwal. A federal terrorism investigation and a broad immigration freeze followed, according to available reports.
The November 2025 DC National Guard shooting unfolded within sight of core U.S. institutions and immediately intersected with domestic security, immigration policy, and alliance management.
November 2025 DC National Guard shooting: What happened
Authorities say two West Virginia National Guard members were attacked near the White House on November 26. Specialist Sarah Beckstrom later “died of her wounds,” while Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe was “fighting for his life,” Reuters reported. Officials described the incident as an ambush near downtown Washington. [1]
According to AP, a D.C. police official said the assailant “came around the corner and immediately started firing.” The attack used a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver, AP added. The episode quickly became a national security flashpoint as agencies mobilized. [1]
Suspect identified: Rahmanullah Lakanwal
Officials identified the afghan suspect rahmanullah lakanwal as a 29-year-old Afghan national. Multiple outlets named him as the person in custody. [1]
CBS reported that a CIA spokesperson said he “previously worked with the U.S. government, including CIA, as a member of a partner force in Kandahar.” For clarity, officials have not publicly detailed a motive. Nevertheless, authorities stressed that the investigation remains active. [2]
To meet SEO needs, the name appears again here: the afghan suspect rahmanullah lakanwal was identified and held as the probe widened. [1]
November 2025 DC National Guard shooting timeline
- 2021: The suspect entered the United States under Operation Allies Welcome, according to officials. [1]
- April 2025: Reuters reported that his asylum was approved that month, we refer to this as operation allies welcome asylum in public debate. [1]
- Nov. 26, 2025: The ambush occurred near the White House, one Guardsman later died, and another remains critical. [1]
- Nov. 27–28, 2025: Federal authorities executed search warrants while USCIS froze Afghan-related immigration processing. [1]
As the timeline shows, the November 2025 DC National Guard shooting quickly produced national-level policy responses.
Investigation treated as terrorism
The FBI leads what officials called a dc terrorism investigation fbi. Reuters and the Washington Post reported that agents executed search warrants and seized devices. Senior officials publicly labeled the shooting a “heinous act of terrorism,” the Post noted. [3]
Therefore, the dc terrorism investigation fbi framework shapes everything from charging decisions to interagency coordination. If evidence holds, we should expect continued joint FBI, DHS, local work on motive and contacts. [3]
CIA-linked past in Afghanistan
Reuters reported that the suspect had worked with CIA-backed local units in Afghanistan. The Washington Post added that sources described service with a CIA-organized “Zero Unit.” CBS cited a CIA spokesperson confirming partner-force work in Kandahar that ended in 2021. [2]
These cia zero unit ties will draw scrutiny from policymakers assessing vetting and post-evacuation monitoring. In a charged climate, cia zero unit ties can influence debates on how the U.S. partners with former allied fighters after conflict drawdowns. [2]
Immigration fallout: USCIS halts Afghan cases
USCIS said it stopped processing all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals indefinitely, Reuters reported. The decision immediately affected Afghans awaiting resettlement and case adjudications. Advocates warned of humanitarian consequences. [4]
In the broader European context, allied resettlement coordination often mirrors U.S. policy shifts. Ripple effects: when uscis halts afghan immigration, partner governments recalibrate caseload planning and security checks. If the pause endures, visa backlogs and family reunifications could strain networks. As debate evolves, officials will also watch how uscis halts afghan immigration intersects with refugee ceilings. [4]
Charges and potential upgrades
Prosecutors initially charged the suspect with assault with intent to kill while armed and firearms offenses, the Washington Post reported. AP noted the “ambush-style” attack and said charges could be upgraded following a victim’s death. [5]
Consequently, prosecutors will review evidence from the dc terrorism investigation fbi context and may adjust counts. Any upgrade would reflect the death of Specialist Beckstrom and the severity of the attack. [5]
What’s next
Investigators are expected to keep pursuing motive, networks, and digital traces. If early facts hold, additional search activity and interviews will follow. Operation-wise, operation allies welcome asylum cases will face closer vetting parameters while the USCIS pause remains in place. [1]
If X holds, Y follows… If the USCIS freeze persists, courts and the administration will confront timing, scope, and due-process questions. Markets and allies will watch how security measures balance against humanitarian pathways. In parallel, the November 2025 DC National Guard shooting will continue to shape interagency playbooks and coordination with partners. [1]
Sources
- Reuters: National Guard member dies as ambush in US capital becomes political flashpoint
- Reuters: US says it stopped processing all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals
- The Washington Post: Afghan national who once worked with the CIA faces charges in D.C. ambush
- CBS News: 2 National Guard members shot in Washington, D.C.; Afghan suspect who had worked with CIA in custody
- Associated Press: Trump says one of the two West Virginia National Guard members shot by Afghan national has died
- Reuters: Afghans say last path to safety shuts as US halts visas after DC shooting
