Washington– the Brazen shooting during the day The killing of two National Guard members in the country’s capital by a man who authorities said was an Afghan national has raised multiple questions.
This includes the condition of the wounded soldiers and details about the suspect and his motives for the attack the day before Thanksgiving.
Here’s what we know so far, and what we don’t know:
FBI Director Kash Patel and Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser He said that two guard members were taken to hospital in critical condition.
They belong to the West Virginia National Guard, which has deployed hundreds of troops to the nation’s capital as part of President Donald Trump’s campaign. Crime fighting mission Which involves taking over the local police department.
There was Approximately 2,200 Guard members In DC for a mission.
The names and further details of the two soldiers who were injured are not yet known.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey initially posted on social media that two Guard members in his state had been killed. But he later backtracked, saying his office was “receiving conflicting reports” about their condition. Morrissey did not clarify this.
Bowser described the attack as a “targeted shooting.”
Jeffrey Carroll, executive assistant chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, said video reviewed by investigators showed the attacker “rounded the corner” and immediately began shooting at troops. The suspect opened fire with a handgun, according to a law enforcement official.
Another law enforcement official said at least one Guard member exchanged gunfire with the shooter. They were not allowed to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Carroll said that the forces ran over and stopped the shooter and he was detained. Authorities believe he was the lone gunman.
Carroll said it is not clear whether a Guard member or law enforcement officer shot the suspect, and investigators do not yet have information on a motive.
One official said the suspect’s wounds were not believed to be life-threatening.
The suspect is believed to be a 29-year-old Afghan national who entered the United States in September 2021 and lives in Washington state, two law enforcement officials and a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press.
He came to the United States through Operation Welcoming Allies, a program of the Biden administration Evacuation and resettlement of tens of thousands of Afghans after The chaotic American withdrawal Officials from the country said.
They added that law enforcement authorities have identified the suspect as Rahmanullah Lakkanwal, but authorities are still working to fully confirm his background. The people were unable to discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Lakmal arrived in Bellingham, Wash., about four years ago with his wife and five children, according to former landlord Christina Weidman.
They were among about 800 Afghan refugees who settled In Washington State as part of Operation Welcoming Allies, with financial support from the United States government. Among the organizations that partnered with federal agencies to care for Afghan families was World Relief, a faith-based group that helped refugees find housing, job training and language lessons as they settled in the Seattle area.
It is unclear how Lakkanwal traveled to the country’s capital, which is about 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers) away.
Shortly after the shooting, Trump said An additional 500 National Guard troops will be sent to Washington, D.C. It is not clear where the additional forces will come from.
As of early November, the D.C. National Guard had the largest number on the ground at 949. In addition to West Virginia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama had troops in D.C. early this month.
A federal judge last week ordered the Guard deployment to end but suspended her order for 21 days to allow the Trump administration time to either withdraw troops or appeal.
___
Associated Press journalists Alana Durkin Richer, Eric Tucker and Michael R. Sisak, Mike Balsamo, Michael Biesecker, and Jesse Bedine.