The terrifying shooting near the White House on Wednesday has put a spotlight on the suspect’s complicated past.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, an Afghan immigrant, is now in custody after allegedly opening fire on National Guard troops, killing one soldier and critically injuring another.
Friends and acquaintances paint a picture of a man weighed down by years of exposure to violence during his time in a CIA-backed military unit in Afghanistan.
They say the horrors he witnessed and the operations he took part in left lasting psychological scars.
A Childhood Friend Speaks on His Struggles
A lifelong friend of Lakanwal told The New York Times about the emotional toll his experiences had on him.
“When he saw blood, bodies, and the wounded, he could not tolerate it,” the friend said. “It put a lot of pressure on his mind.”
The father-of-five had been part of an elite paramilitary unit often linked to night raids, covert operations, and, according to some reports, suspected executions.
While the exact role Lakanwal played is unclear, those who knew him say he often spoke of the extreme stress and pressure of his work.
CIA Connection Confirmed Amid Political Fallout
Hours after Lakanwal’s identity became public, CIA Director John Ratcliffe acknowledged the suspect had previously worked with U.S. intelligence as part of a partner force in Kandahar.
Ratcliffe described the unit’s involvement as ending shortly after the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Both Ratcliffe and former President Trump criticized the government for allowing Lakanwal and other foreigners into the U.S., citing concerns over vetting procedures during the withdrawal.
“The individual — and so many others — should have never been allowed to come here,” Ratcliffe said, emphasizing the risks to American service members and citizens.
Visa and Asylum Timeline Raises Questions
The timeline of Lakanwal’s entry into the U.S. is complicated.
He arrived in September 2021 as a refugee under Operation Allies Welcome during the Biden administration.
His temporary visa eventually expired, and he applied for asylum in 2024.
That claim was approved in April 2025 by the Trump administration.
A White House official clarified that, because of his parole status, Lakanwal would not have been removed from the country regardless of asylum proceedings.
They noted that the 2023 Ahmed Court Settlement required expedited handling of asylum applications, leaving his legal status intact at the time of the shooting.
Journey Across the U.S. Before the Attack
Lakanwal reportedly drove from his home near Bellingham, Washington — close to the Canadian border — to Washington D.C. before the incident.
He lived in the state with his wife and five children.
The shooting occurred just 800 yards from the White House.
Two National Guard members, Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24, were critically injured by a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver.
Tragically, Beckstrom succumbed to her injuries later Thursday, as confirmed by Trump, who described her as “an incredible person, outstanding in every single way.”
Her father, Gary Beckstrom, had earlier revealed that she would not survive.
“She has a mortal wound, it’s not going to be a recovery. I’m holding her hand right now,” he said.
Suspect’s Alleged Actions During the Attack
During the Thursday briefing, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro noted that the suspect reportedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” during the shooting, a detail adding to the gravity of the attack and intensifying national concern.
A Complex and Tragic Story
This incident has brought national attention not only to the violent act itself but also to the broader discussion about trauma, mental health, and immigration policies.
Lakanwal’s years of exposure to combat, his struggle with psychological scars, and his navigation of the U.S. asylum system all intersect in a shocking and deeply tragic sequence of events.
The nation now grapples with the loss of a young soldier, the condition of another, and questions about the systems that allowed such a trajectory to unfold.
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