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The suspected gunman accused of shooting two National Guard members blocks from the White House the day before Thanksgiving is 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, three law enforcement sources confirmed to Fox News Digital.
Lakanwal, an illegal migrant who entered the U.S. after the withdrawal from Afghanistan, was granted humanitarian parole per DHS sources.
Authorities are investigating the shooting as a possible act of international terrorism.
FBI officials confirmed the two West Virginia National Guardsmen remain in critical condition.
LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONDING AFTER 2 NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS SHOT NEAR WHITE HOUSE
FBI Director Kash Patel speaks during a news conference following a shooting involving two National Guardsmen on Wednesday in Washington, D.C. (Andrew Leyden/Getty Images)
“This is a targeted shooting,” D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser explained during a news conference Wednesday after the shooting. “One individual appeared to target these guardsmen. That individual has been taken into custody,” she confirmed.
Metropolitan Police Department official Jeffery Carroll also explained how the suspect had come around a corner, raised his arm with a firearm, and “discharged it at the National Guard members.”
“They were able to, after some back and forth, able to subdue the individual and bring them into custody within moments,” he described. “Members of law enforcement in the area were also able to assist and bring that individual into custody,” he said.
He added, “Both of the individuals, the guard members, are in critical condition at a local hospital at this time being treated. At this point, we have no other suspects.”
In a social media post, West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey had initially said that the two guard members had died in the 2:16 p.m. attack, but later retracted his statement on X, citing “conflicting reports.”
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Police tape is seen near the scene where two National Guard members were shot Wednesday, in Washington, D.C. (Jasmine Baehr/Fox News Digital)
“We are now receiving conflicting reports about the condition of our two Guard members and will provide additional updates once we receive more complete information. Our prayers are with these brave service members, their families, and the entire Guard community about the condition of our two Guard members and will provide additional updates once we receive more complete information,” he wrote.
“Our prayers are with these brave service members, their families, and the entire Guard community.”
WHITE HOUSE PUSHES FOR $58M SECURITY INCREASE IN WAKE OF KIRK ASSASSINATION
Streets are blocked after two National Guard soldiers were shot near the White House in Washington, D.C., Wednesday. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
The White House was placed on lockdown following the shooting. President Donald Trump is not in Washington, D.C., having left for Mar-a-Lago in Florida on Monday for the Thanksgiving holiday.
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National Guard soldiers stand behind the crime scene tape at a corner in downtown Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Two National Guard soldiers were shot a few blocks from the White House, according to law enforcement. (Drew Angerer / AFP via Getty Images)
According to Reuters, as of Wednesday morning, approximately 2,200 National Guard troops were deployed in Washington, D.C.
This included personnel from the District of Columbia as well as units from Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, West Virginia, Georgia and Alabama.
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The graphic shows the distance from where National Guard members were shot to the White House. (Fox News)
Trump shared a post on Truth Social in the wake of the shooting and expressed solidarity with the victims, as well as dismay at the incident that unfolded earlier near the White House.
“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,” Trump said.
“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!”
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The Department of War Secretary Pete Hesgeth says President Trump asked him to deploy 500 extra National Guard troops to D.C. (Yasin Ozturk/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Vice President JD Vance, who was in Fort Campbell at the time of the shooting, also said “everybody who’s a person of faith” to pray for the two Guardsmen.
“I think it’s a somber reminder that soldiers, whether they’re active duty, reserve or National Guard, our soldiers are the sword and the shield of the United States of America,” Vance added.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth spoke in the wake of the shooting and said Trump asked him to deploy 500 additional troops to the city.
“This will only stiffen our resolve to ensure that we make Washington DC safe and beautiful,” he told reporters Wednesday.
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“The drop in crime has been historic. The increase in safety and security has been historic. But if criminals want to conduct things like this, violence against America’s best, we will never back down. President Trump will never back down. That’s why the American people elected him. America and our warriors, our National Guardsmen, are strong,” Hesgeth said.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Emma Bussey is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital. Before joining Fox, she worked at The Telegraph with the U.S. overnight team, across desks including foreign, politics, news, sport and culture.
