The Gunman Who Opened Fire Near The White House Has Been Identified

• 27.11.2025, 8:35

His name and nationality have been released.

On Wednesday, November 26, a man shot two U.S. National Guard members two blocks from the White House. He appears to be an Afghan national.

It was reported by CNN and CBS News.

According to CNN, the FBI believes it has identified the suspect in the shooting of the National Guard troops.

Sources said the initial identification of the shooter matches a man from Washington state who appears to have immigrated there from Afghanistan in August 2021.

One law enforcement official added that authorities have fingerprinted the man in custody and thus obtained an initial name. However, law enforcers are still working on additional confirmation.

In the meantime, CBS also writes that the suspect is a 29-year-old Afghan national. Moreover, the publication has clarified his name - the suspected shooter's name is Rahmanullah Lakanwal.

According to two sources, the man used a handgun for the attack.

What preceded

At the time, two members of the U.S. National Guard were wounded in an attack Wednesday afternoon in Washington, D.C.

The shooting occurred near the Farragut Metro station, a few blocks from the White House, at the intersection of 17th-1st Street and 1st Street NW. The suspect was taken into custody, and CNN wrote that he was also wounded.

After the incident, FBI Director Cash Patel said both National Guardsmen were in critical condition. Earlier, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey said the troopers were dead, but later recanted, citing "conflicting reports."

U.S. President Donald Trump has already reacted to the incident. He wrote on his social media accounts that the "animal" who opened fire on the National Guardsmen would be punished.

Later, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth told reporters that Trump had requested that an additional 500 fighters be sent to Washington.