Name: How the targeted attack on West Virginia National Guard unfolded
Uploaded: 2025-11-27T14:39:49.933Z
Duration: 2 min 48 s
Description: Two National Guard members from West Virginia were critically wounded in a shooting in Washington, D.C., Wednesday afternoon. Officials say the suspect is a native of Afghanistan, who entered the U.S. in 2021.

Two National Guard members from West Virginia were critically wounded in a shooting in Washington, D.C., Wednesday afternoon. Officials say the suspect is a native of Afghanistan, who entered the U.S. in 2021.

Washington

Two members of the West Virginia National Guard were critically wounded in a targeted shooting near the Farragut West Metro stop in Washington, D.C., just blocks from the White House. Law enforcement officials described the incident as an ambush, with the suspect, identified as 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanallah Lakhanwal, waiting in hiding before opening fire.

Lakhanwal, who entered the United States in September 2021 and was granted asylum earlier this year, is in critical condition and not cooperating with investigators. The attack involved the suspect firing multiple rounds, taking a Guard member's weapon, and continuing to shoot before being subdued by other Guard members. Authorities confirmed there are no other suspects and emphasized the calculated nature of the attack.

How the "targeted" attack on West Virginia National Guard unfolded

Let's begin with that terrible, horrific attack in our nation's capital, where two National Guard members from West Virginia were critically wounded in a targeted shooting. Officials say the suspect is a native of Afghanistan who lived in Washington state after coming to the U.S. four years ago. This morning, we have new information about his former ties to U.S. forces in Afghanistan. We'll have more on that with Nancy Cordes in a moment, but first, let's get to Nicole Skanga near the scene of the shooting just blocks from the White House. Nicole, good morning. What can you tell us? Good morning, Vlad. The shooting happened just behind me, just two blocks north of the White House. Senior law enforcement officials tell CBS News they described this incident as a clear-cut ambush, a targeted attack against National Guard personnel. At this time, there are no other suspects. A horrific scene in broad daylight. Two National Guard members shot and bleeding on the sidewalk outside the Farragut West Metro stop in Washington, D.C. Law enforcement sources tell CBS News the gunman waited in hiding before opening fire without warning. A suspect came around the corner, raised his arm with a firearm and discharged it at the National Guard members. Cell phone video from above captured the aftermath. First responders rushing to the scene. At least one Guard member receiving CPR on the pavement. Another member of the National Guard stabbed the suspect with a pocketknife, while another shot the suspect multiple times, with even more running from inside the Metro stop to subdue him. It appears, like I said, to be a lone gunman that raised the firearm and ambushed these members of the National Guard. Homeland Security has identified the suspect as 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanallah Lakhanwal, who entered the U.S. in September 2021. He's in critical condition, and officials say he's not cooperating with investigators. Multiple sources familiar with the investigation tell CBS News the gunman first fired four rounds from his handgun, then took the fallen Guard member's weapon and continued shooting. The two victims, both from the West Virginia National Guard, were whisked to the hospital. Both are in critical condition. In a statement, West Virginia's governor called them both brave, saying, quote, our prayers are with these brave service members and their families. Please send your prayers to those brave warriors. They are here protecting everyday Americans and citizens around the world in our nation's capital. They are the heroes of this day. Officials warn this was a calculated attack, and DHS officials also say the suspect came to the country under the Biden administration following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. He was granted asylum earlier this year. Kelly? Nicole, thank you for that.

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