Two National Guardsmen were shot in downtown Washington and remain in critical condition, according to local media reports.
CBS News reported authorities arrested the alleged shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the US in 2021.
The shooting happened less than 2 km away from the White House on Wednesday. US President Donald Trump was not in the capital and is visiting Florida for the Thanksgiving holiday.
After the incident, Trump took to Truth Social, stating, “The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen, with both being critically wounded, and now in two separate hospitals, is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price. God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement. These are truly Great People. I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!”
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser termed the attack a ‘targeted shooting’.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced that the administration will deploy an additional 500 troops to Washington immediately.
While addressing the media, FBI Director Kash Patel said that the case will be prosecuted at the federal level since ‘this is an assault on federal law enforcement officers’.
Approximately 2,400 National Guard troops are currently deployed in Washington, including 958 from the DC National Guard. The remaining 1,300 troops come from eight other states, with the deployment extended through the summer of 2026.
The deployment of National Guard forces in Washington has sparked political controversy and intense debate among lawmakers and citizens.
Supporters say the deployment has helped stabilise crime-plagued neighbourhoods. Critics argue that the prolonged presence of out-of-state troops blurs the line between civilian law enforcement and military operations.
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