Featured Image Credit: Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP via Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, US News, Crime
Phoebe Tonks
Topics: Donald Trump, US News, Crime
Two National Guard members have been shot near the White House in Washington, D.C.
A single suspect has been taken into custody and the area secured, police have confirmed.
The White House was placed into lockdown following the attack, which took place just blocks away from the iconic building today (November 26). However, it is understood that neither US President Donald Trump nor Vice President JD Vance was present at the time.
Shortly after the attack, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform to say the two National Guard members had been 'critically wounded', adding that the 'animal' that shot them 'is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price'.
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Here's everything we know about the situation so far…
The two National Guards shot in Wednesday’s attack have yet to be formally identified by authorities, however an update on their condition by the FBI revealed that they were both in ‘critical condition’.
Initial reports had emerged that both members had sadly been killed, with the West Virginia governor releasing a statement that paid tribute to them and claimed they had been shot dead.
Patrick Morrisey had said: "These brave West Virginians lost their lives in the service of their country."
However, he was later forced to backtrack on this announcement, citing ‘conflicting sources’ which revealed that the injured victims were still alive, albeit critically injured in hospital.
The shooting took place at roughly 2:20 p.m. ET near the entrance to the Farragut West Metro station, close to the busy 17th and I St NW intersection in the capital.
This places it roughly two to three blocks away from the White House, which was placed on lockdown as a precaution.
A 29-year-old Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, whose last known location was in Bellingham, Washington, has since been identified as the suspect in Wednesday’s shootings, according to multiple news outlets.
He entered the US in 2021, according to reports from CBS News and CNN.
According to eyewitnesses, the suspect is believed to have used a handgun to carry out the attack and allegedly shot a National Guard member in the chest, before shooting them in the head.
Lakanwal then allegedly fired at and struck a second guard, before being taken down and detained by a third National Guard member.
The suspect, who was reportedly shot four times, was taken to hospital for treatment.
No motive has yet been revealed, with authorities exploring all avenues, including as a possible act of terror.
President Trump, who is currently away from the White House for the Thanksgiving Holidays in Palm Springs, has spoken out following the shooting, saying in a statement on Truth Social: "The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen, with both being critically wounded, and now in two separate hospitals, is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price. God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement.
"These are truly Great People. I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!"