On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, two members of the West Virginia National Guard were shot in a brazen attack near the White House in Washington, D.C., just blocks from the nation's political epicenter. The incident was described by Mayor Muriel Bowser as a targeted shooting. Both guard members were hospitalized in critical condition, according to FBI Director Kash Patel and Bowser.
The shooting occurred the day before Thanksgiving, raising concerns about public safety and the deployment of National Guard troops in urban areas, an issue that has sparked legal battles and heated debates over the Trump administration's approach to addressing rising crime. Reports indicate that a suspect—identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in September 2021—was also shot and is believed to have non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities are still verifying details of his background.
In the aftermath of the shooting, President Donald Trump, who was in Florida at the time, called for a reinvestigation of all Afghan refugees brought to the U.S. under the Biden administration. Initial statements by West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey indicated the guard members had died, but he later retracted his comments, acknowledging conflicting reports about their conditions.
As the situation unfolded, D.C. police reported that the shooting happened about two blocks from the White House, near a metro station. Jeffrey Carroll, deputy chief of police, shared details from surveillance footage showing the suspect ambushing the National Guard members upon turning a corner and opening fire. It’s noted that at least one of the guard members returned fire, although it remains unclear who shot the suspect.
Emergency response teams swarmed the area quickly, and social media footage captured the scene showing first responders attempting CPR on one of the injured troops. Witness accounts described hearing gunfire and seeing people fleeing the area. A local resident, Stacy Walters, expressed disbelief over the violence just before the holiday, emphasizing that it was a typically peaceful day.
In a show of solidarity, Vice President JD Vance urged people of faith to pray for the wounded guard members, calling the situation a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by military personnel. General Steven Nordhaus of the National Guard Bureau canceled his holiday plans to be with troops in Washington following the incident.
The Trump administration responded to the shooting by deploying an additional 500 National Guard members to Washington. This brought the total number of troops in the area to approximately 2,200, as the administration grapples with ongoing security concerns in the city. The National Guard troops have been engaged in various duties, including patrolling neighborhoods, participating in public safety operations, and assisting local law enforcement.
The evolving nature of the investigation continues to raise questions regarding the motive behind the attack, with law enforcement officials stating there are currently no other suspects involved. The situation remains under scrutiny as officials seek to understand the circumstances surrounding this unprecedented violence against National Guard members.
As authorities continue their investigation, the impact of this incident on public perception regarding safety and the presence of military personnel in urban areas is likely to resonate in political discussions moving forward.
