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

Trump: Shooter of National Guard was Afghan committing 'act of terror'

US President Donald Trump described the recent shooting near the White House as “an act of terror, a crime against humanity,” as he briefed the media on the incident.

"This heinous assault was an act of evil, an act of hatred and an act of terror," Trump said, as he vowed to have his administration "reexamine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan" during his predecessor Joe Biden's presidency.

"I can report tonight that based on the best available information, the Department of Homeland Security is confident that the suspect in custody is a foreigner who entered our country from Afghanistan - a hell hole on earth."

The shooting took place on Wednesday afternoon (US time) near the White House, where armed National Guard soldiers were patrolling as part of regular security operations.

Officials have identified the suspect as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome.

Also read: Who is Rahmanullah Lakanwal? Suspect accused of critically wounding two guardsmen

Former US President Barack Obama has condemned the shooting near the White House that left two National Guard members critically injured, saying “violence has no place in America.”

In a post on X, Obama wrote: “Michelle and I are praying for the service members shot in Washington, DC today, and send our love to their families as they enter this holiday season under the most tragic of circumstances.”

The shooting took place on Wednesday afternoon near 17th Street and I Street NW, close to the Farragut Metro Station, where National Guard personnel were conducting high-visibility patrols. Police said the gunman turned a corner, raised a handgun, and fired directly at the two Guardsmen, leaving them critically injured.