WASHINGTON — Federal investigators are piecing together what led to the ambush-style shooting of two West Virginia National Guardsmen just steps from the White House on Wednesday. Both soldiers remained in critical condition late into the night as officials confirmed the attack appeared to be targeted.
Authorities have not formally identified either service member, but social media posts— including images and a statement from Musselman High School in Inwood, West Virginia — confirms that one of the wounded Guardsmen is Andrew Jason Wolfe, an Air National Guardsman and alumnus of the school. Wolfe, a Martinsburg resident and digital creator who lists employment with the U.S. Air Force and Frontier Internet, was publicly acknowledged in a message shared by his former high school offering condolences and calling for community support.
The second Guardsman has not yet been identified publicly.
According to D.C. officials, the two Guardsmen were on duty near 17th Street NW when the shooter opened fire at close range. Witnesses described hearing an initial burst of four shots, followed by a rapid series of additional gunfire as Secret Service and law enforcement personnel raced toward the scene.
The suspect was also shot during the exchange and taken into custody. Multiple senior law enforcement officials identified him as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who arrived in the United States in 2021 after the fall of Kabul. NBC News reported that Lakanwal had served alongside U.S. Special Forces during his decade in the Afghan army, a detail confirmed by a close relative who expressed shock at the news.
Officials say the FBI is treating the case as a potential act of terrorism pending further investigation. A motive has not been established.
Lakanwal’s immigration history is already fueling political fallout. Senior DHS officials confirmed he had been granted asylum earlier this year. Secretary Kristi Noem said he entered the U.S. as part of Operation Allies Welcome, the 2021 program that relocated Afghan partners who assisted American forces.
President Donald Trump, addressing the nation Wednesday night, condemned the attack as “evil,” “targeted,” and “terror.” He ordered 500 additional National Guardsmen to deploy to Washington, temporarily increasing the already 2,100-strong Guard presence in the capital. He also called for a full review of every Afghan national who entered the country during the Biden administration. The administration later announced an indefinite halt to immigration processing for Afghan nationals.
The shooting has revived political tension around refugee resettlement, security vetting, and the treatment of Afghan wartime allies. Advocacy groups urged Americans not to retaliate against Afghan families or communities, emphasizing that Afghan evacuees undergo extensive screening before entering the U.S.
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey initially stated that the two wounded Guardsmen had died, later correcting the record after receiving what he described as conflicting early reports. He said he had spoken directly with the president and called the shooting an act of “unspeakable violence.”
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, speaking from the Dominican Republic where he was meeting with officials, condemned the attack and praised the Guardsmen for their service in the nation’s capital. He said their actions represented the “best of America” and vowed that the incident would not undermine security missions in the city.
Authorities are expected to release additional details in the coming days as investigators interview witnesses, analyze evidence, and continue to examine the suspect’s background and potential motivations.
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