The White House shooting left two US National Guard soldiers critically injured on Wednesday. The attack happened only blocks from the White House during a high-visibility patrol. Authorities said a single attacker ambushed the two soldiers without warning. The White House briefly went into lockdown as security teams rushed to the scene. President Donald Trump was in Florida at the time.
Police said the shooter rounded a corner and opened fire on the soldiers. Both victims were hit multiple times and taken to trauma centers. Officials confirmed the suspect was also injured during the incident. Investigators said there were no additional suspects or ongoing threats. The attacker was taken into custody soon after the shooting.
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By evening, US media reported that the FBI believed it had identified the suspect. Fingerprints linked him to a man who came from Afghanistan in 2021. Some outlets named him as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, though officials did not confirm this. Federal agencies said the identification was still preliminary. They also noted that investigators were probing terrorism-related motives.
Trump reacted strongly and called the attacker an “animal” on social media. He praised the National Guard and law enforcement for their response. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Trump ordered 500 more National Guard troops to Washington. Authorities imposed a brief security lockdown near the White House. Officials later clarified that conflicting early reports caused some confusion.
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The attack raised concerns within Muslim communities across the United States. Civil-rights groups warned against speculation before facts were confirmed. Law enforcement said the motive remained unclear and the investigation continued. Officials also stressed that the situation could change as more details emerged. The White House shooting remained under active review by federal agencies.