Two National Guard members were critically injured when an Afghan national opened fire near the White House, triggering an immediate security lockdown as emergency responders and federal agencies moved swiftly to secure the area.
According to a White House spokesperson, the gunman fired at National Guard personnel stationed close to the executive mansion, leaving both officers seriously wounded. The White House was promptly sealed off, while rescue teams and security officials reached the site within minutes. The suspect was apprehended in an injured condition.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump was immediately briefed on the incident and has since been receiving continuous updates. She stated that the President is personally monitoring the situation.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed that multiple agencies are jointly gathering information and reviewing the circumstances surrounding the attack. President Trump issued a strong condemnation, calling the attacker “an animal” and vowing that the individual responsible for targeting National Guard personnel “will pay a heavy price.”
In the aftermath of the shooting, operations at Ronald Reagan National Airport were temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure. Normal flight activity resumed a few hours later once the situation stabilised.
President Trump denounced the assault as an act of terrorism, saying, “This attack on our National Guard is a symbol of hatred and evil. The perpetrator will face the consequences. National Guard members were shot just steps from the White House.” He further announced that every migrant who entered the United States during the Biden administration would undergo mandatory vetting.
Police later confirmed that the suspect has been identified as 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakhanwal, who arrived in the United States in 2021. Authorities say the investigation is ongoing, and security around the White House has been further strengthened.
