An Afghan national has been accused of shooting two West Virginia National Guard members just blocks from the White House in a brazen act of violence at a time when the presence of troops in the nation's capital and other cities around the country has become a political flashpoint (PICS/AFP, TEXT/AP)
Updated On: 2025-11-27 10:41 PM IST
Compiled by : Divya Nair
The site of the shooting, just blocks away from the White House. Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney for the District of Columbia, said at a Thursday news briefing that the guard members shot were Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Staff Sgt Andrew Wolfe, 24. The guard members were hospitalised in critical condition after Wednesday afternoon's shooting
Pirro said that the suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, drove across the country to launch an "ambush-style" attack with a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver. The suspect currently faces charges of assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Pirro said that "it's too soon to say" what the suspect's motives were
The charges could be upgraded, Pirro said, adding, "We are praying that they survive and that the highest charge will not have to be murder in the first degree. But make no mistake, if they do not, that will certainly be the charge"
The Trump administration has ordered 500 more National Guard members to Washington, following the incident
US Secret Service Director Sean Curran (left) and FBI Director Kash Patel at the scene. Patel said the shooting is being investigated as an act of terrorism
