The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was part of a “partner force” with the United States in Kandahar, Fox News reports, citing intelligence sources. A relative tells NBC News that Lakanwal, like himself, was part of the Afghan army for ten years and worked with US special forces in Kandahar.
"We were the Taliban's target in Afghanistan," says the relative.
One of the two National Guardsmen that Rahmanullah Lakanwal opened fire on a few blocks from the White House has died from his injuries, President Donald Trump announced Friday night Swedish time. The other is fighting for his life in hospital. Lakanwal himself was shot by another National Guardsman in connection with the attack. He was arrested and is being treated in hospital – but is not cooperating with authorities, reports CBS News .
The 29-year-old, who grew up in Khost, came to the United States in September 2021 – a few weeks after the US chaotically withdrew its forces from Afghanistan, where the Taliban had taken back government power. Afghans who had collaborated with the US and its allies were considered at particular risk, and a number were helped to flee.
“Deserves better”
The suspected shooter is one of them, CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirms, criticizing former President Joe Biden's administration for the program, called Operation Allies Welcome.
"This individual, and many others, should never have been allowed to come here. Our citizens and our military deserve much better than to have to endure the consequences of the Biden administration's catastrophic failures," he claims on Fox News.
The suspected perpetrator lives with his wife and five children in Washington state on the west coast of the United States. He is said to have worked for Amazon, applied for asylum last year and was granted it in April when Donald Trump took office as president, reports ABC .
His relatives tell the media that they are shocked and horrified.
Unclear motive
The 29-year-old is described as someone who acted alone. Police have not released any suspected motive for the attack, which is being investigated as an act of terrorism.
President Donald Trump has ordered a pause on all immigration cases involving Afghan nationals following the shootings, describing the suspect as “a foreigner who came to our country from Afghanistan, a hell on earth.”
Afghanistan's army was built up by the United States after its invasion following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. It fought side by side with American soldiers against the Taliban and other resistance groups.
