The suspected shooter in the recent Washington, D.C. attack on two National Guard members near the White House has been publicly identified by law enforcement as 29-year-old Rahmanullah (also reported as Rahmanullah/Rahmanullah) Lakanwal, an Afghan national.

Suspect’s identity

• Multiple U.S. officials and major news outlets have named the suspect as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, age 29.

• He is described as an Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021 under an Afghanistan evacuation/humanitarian program and later obtained asylum.

Role in the DC shooting

• Authorities say Lakanwal is the lone suspected gunman accused of ambushing two West Virginia National Guard members on patrol in downtown Washington, D.C., leaving them in critical condition.

• He was shot by responding Guard members or law enforcement, taken into custody, and remains hospitalized, with officials stating he is currently not cooperating with investigators.