Alleged DC National Guardsmen shooter was in Afghan army, served alongside US troops: report

The Afghan national who allegedly shot two National Guard soldiers in a possible terror attack inside the nation’s capital Wednesday served alongside American troops in his home country before coming to the US, according to a report.

Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, who sources say was in the US illegally after overstaying his visa, was a member of the Afghan Army stationed in Kandahar where he supported US Special Forces in the region, a relative told NBC News.

Lakanwal was injured while serving in the army and fled Afghanistan, entering the US in September 2021 through the Biden administration’s botched refugee program Operation Allies Welcome.

“We were the ones that were targeted by the Taliban in Afghanistan,” the relative told the outlet. “I cannot believe it that he might do this,” he said.

Lakanwal allegedly ambushed the two National Guard members near the White House, lying in wait before opening fire in a brazen attack.

He allegedly shot a female guard in the chest and head before pumping a bullet into another guard.

The alleged gunman was then shot by return gunfire.

Police have not revealed a motive for the attack.

Lakanwal had been living in Bellingham, Washington, a community close to the Canadian border that accepted other refugees from Afghanistan.

President Trump, in a televised message delivered Tuesday night, called Lakanwal’s attack an “act of terror.”

“It was a crime against our entire nation. It was a crime against humanity,” Trump said.