Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, suspected in White House shooting, allegedly yelled ‘Allahu Akbar’

White House shooting suspect Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, allegedly shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’

Authorities have identified the suspect in the shooting near the White House as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021 under the previous administration’s evacuation programme.

Witness accounts suggest he may have shouted “Allahu Akbar” during the attack, though officials say that detail is still under investigation.

BREAKING - The National Guard shooter has been identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan illegal who entered the United States under the Biden administration in 2021 and reportedly yelled “Allahu Akbar” during the attack. pic.twitter.com/h3KklqepoQ

— Right Angle News Network (@Rightanglenews) November 27, 2025

Authorities are still verifying his identity, while reports suggest he may have shouted religious slogans during the attack, a detail officials say remains under investigation.

The shooting occurred on Wednesday afternoon near 17th Street and I Street NW, close to the Farragut Metro Station, where Guard personnel were carrying out high-visibility security patrols. Police said the gunman approached a corner, drew a handgun, and opened fire, leaving both soldiers critically injured.

US President Donald Trump condemned the attack as “an act of terror, a crime against humanity” while briefing reporters.

“This heinous assault was an act of evil, an act of hatred and an act of terror,” Trump said, vowing to “reexamine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan” during Joe Biden’s presidency. Following the incident, the United States announced a sweeping policy shift, suspending all immigration requests from Afghan nationals.

Also read: Trump calls White House shooting ‘act of terror, crime against humanity’ as Afghan suspect identified

The United States has halted all immigration requests from Afghan nationals following a shooting near the White House that left two National Guard members critically injured.

In a post on X, US Citizenship and Immigration Services said, “Effective immediately, processing of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals is stopped indefinitely pending further review of security and vetting protocols.” “The protections and safety of our homeland and of the American people remains our singular focus and mission.”

Also read: US halts Afghan immigration after White House shooting leaves two National Guard troops critically injured

Earlier confusion over the soldiers’ condition was clarified by FBI Director Kash Patel, who confirmed they were critically injured but alive.

Investigators have not yet confirmed a motive, and the suspect remains in custody as federal agencies continue to assess whether the shooting was terror-motivated.