The November 2025 D.C. National Guard shooting left two soldiers critically wounded near 17th and I streets NW. Police called it a national guard ambush near white house, and they detained a single suspect at the scene. Evidence shows the shooter acted alone, according to early briefings from officials.
November 2025 D.C. National Guard shooting: key facts
- Two West Virginia National Guard members were shot and remain in critical condition. Officials identified them as Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24. Both were attacked during a targeted ambush, authorities said (per Washington Post, AP, and Reuters).
- The suspect is in custody after being wounded during the confrontation. Officials said there is no indication of additional shooters (per Reuters, CBS News, and the Post).
Visuals suggested: a map of 17th and I St NW and the security footprint.
Timeline: November 2025 D.C. National Guard shooting and aftermath
The November 2025 D.C. National Guard shooting began around 2:15 p.m. on Nov. 26, 2025. Police described a “lone gunman” ambush near the intersection, close to the White House complex. Soon after, an fbi terrorism probe washington began, and federal teams launched coordinated searches (per Washington Post, Reuters, CBS News, and AP).
Later that day and into Nov. 27, agents searched locations linked to the suspect. They collected phones, laptops, and other devices for analysis. Meanwhile, immigration authorities announced uscis afghan cases suspended pending a vetting review (per Reuters, Washington Post, CBS News, the Guardian, and AP).
Suspect profile: Rahmanullah Lakanwal and U.S. entry
Officials named the suspect as rahmanullah lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national. According to multiple outlets, rahmanullah lakanwal entered the United States in 2021 under operation allies welcome. He had lived in Washington state before the attack; investigators say he drove across the country ahead of the incident (per Reuters, Washington Post, CBS News, and AP).
The contradiction: a program built to protect U.S. partners is now under scrutiny. Operation allies welcome allowed rapid entry for Afghan allies, yet this case triggered a system-wide pause affecting thousands who were not implicated (per Reuters and the Post).
CIA-linked past: work with partner forces in Afghanistan
U.S. officials said the suspect previously worked with U.S. partner forces in Afghanistan. Multiple reports note CIA backing of some units he served alongside in Kandahar. Evidence shows agency leaders confirmed he had “worked with the U.S. government, including the CIA,” as a member of a partner force (per Wall Street Journal, Reuters, CBS News, AP, and the Guardian).
Visuals suggested: a simple flow diagram of Afghan partner-force vetting steps in 2021, 2025.
FBI terrorism investigation and evidence collection
The case is being investigated as a potential act of terrorism. Agents executed search warrants in Washington state and San Diego and seized numerous electronic devices for forensic review. As officials put it, the fbi terrorism probe washington will sift communications, travel, and weapons records to establish motive and any ties (per Reuters, AP, and CBS News).
Charges, custody, and cooperation status
Prosecutors announced charges, including multiple counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and a firearms offense. The suspect remains hospitalized and, according to officials, is not cooperating with investigators. Additional counts could follow if evidence supports broader charges (per CBS News, AP, Reuters, and the Post).
Policy response: USCIS halts Afghan immigration processing
Following the November 2025 D.C. National Guard shooting, federal authorities paused all Afghan-related immigration processing. Officials described the move as temporary but indefinite while vetting procedures are reviewed. Public statements framed it as “uscis afghan cases suspended,” reflecting a system-wide hold.
The contradiction: the government touts risk-based screening, yet the remedy is a blanket stop. As a result, approved or pending applicants unrelated to this case now face longer waits. Meanwhile, operation allies welcome cases will draw renewed scrutiny to evidence thresholds and interagency data sharing (per Reuters, Washington Post, CBS News, the Guardian, and AP).
Visuals suggested: a before/after timeline showing standard adjudication steps versus current pause.
What’s next
Investigators will analyze seized phones and computers, which could clarify motive and intent. Prosecutors may bring additional charges as digital evidence, ballistics, and travel records are correlated. And officials plan updates on the two soldiers’ conditions as treatment progresses, while the uscis afghan cases suspended posture remains under review (per Reuters, CBS News, Washington Post, AP, and the Guardian).
Finally, expect continued reporting on rahmanullah lakanwal’s path through operation allies welcome and his work history. However, officials caution that conclusions will hinge on the device forensics. Therefore, the evidence will dictate whether the national guard ambush near white house points to a broader plot or a lone actor.
Sources
- Wall Street Journal: D.C. Shooting Suspect Worked With CIA in Afghanistan
- Reuters: FBI searches properties, seizes electronics in probe into shooting of National Guard members
- CBS News: D.C. National Guard shooting suspect identified as Afghan national who had worked with CIA. Here’s what we know.
- Washington Post: Two National Guard members critically wounded in ‘targeted’ shooting in D.C.
- AP News: Afghan national accused of shooting 2 National Guard members
- The Guardian: Suspect in Washington DC national guard shooting had ties to CIA, agency confirms
