A recent incident involving a shooting targeting National Guard personnel in Washington, D.C., has brought to light the alleged past of the suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal. Reports suggest that Lakanwal was formerly a member of an elite Afghan counterterrorism force, a unit understood to have received substantial operational and intelligence backing from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). This revelation, shared by AfghanEvac, an organization composed of U.S. veterans and those who served in Afghanistan, emphasizes the complex history of individuals arriving in the United States who previously collaborated with American forces. The ongoing investigation will scrutinize Lakanwal's journey to the U.S. and the procedures surrounding his entry and asylum status, raising important questions about the vetting processes for those with sensitive military or intelligence backgrounds.
Details of the Recent Washington D.C. Incident and Suspect's Background
On Wednesday, November 27, 2025, in Washington, D.C., Rahmanullah Lakanwal allegedly opened fire on two National Guard members, an event that has since prompted an intensive investigation. According to AfghanEvac, a non-profit entity dedicated to assisting Afghans who supported the U.S. mission, Lakanwal served in NDS-03, a distinguished counterterrorism unit in Afghanistan. This unit operated under the direct guidance of the CIA and was instrumental in combating the Taliban alongside American efforts. CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed on Thursday that the individual, who entered the United States from Afghanistan in 2021, was granted admission specifically due to his prior engagements with the U.S. government, including the CIA. AfghanEvac posits that Lakanwal would have undergone multiple layers of security assessments during his relocation to the U.S. He was evacuated by the U.S. military in August 2021, during the withdrawal from Kabul under the Biden administration, and arrived under humanitarian parole. He later secured asylum in April 2025. FBI Director Kash Patel, during a press conference on Thursday, indicated that Lakanwal's association with U.S. and allied forces in Afghanistan would be a primary focus of the inquiry. Patel also suggested, without presenting concrete evidence, that Lakanwal's entry into the U.S. under the Biden administration lacked adequate vetting. Shawn VanDiver, founder of AfghanEvac and a Navy veteran, urged caution, stating that it is too early to conclusively determine any vetting failures. He stressed the importance of not generalizing negative perceptions to the entire Afghan community in the U.S., highlighting their significant contributions and the extensive vetting most immigrants undergo.
This unfolding situation serves as a stark reminder of the intricate challenges associated with managing the aftermath of international conflicts and the resettlement of those who aided allied forces. It underscores the critical need for a balanced approach that ensures national security while upholding humanitarian commitments to individuals who risked their lives in support of shared objectives. The incident also prompts a necessary reflection on the robustness and effectiveness of existing vetting procedures, emphasizing that any identified gaps must be addressed to prevent future security concerns, without demonizing an entire community that largely seeks peace and stability.
