Two West Virginia National Guard members were shot Wednesday just blocks from the White House. Police said the soldiers were on “high visibility patrols” near Farragut Square Park when the suspect approached and opened fire. 

FBI officials said both service members are hospitalized and in critical condition. The suspect, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national from Bellingham, Washington, is now in custody.

President Donald Trump said the suspect is severely wounded and will pay a “very steep price.”

“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. God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement. These… pic.twitter.com/CyZJDqtdoR

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) November 26, 2025

The White House was placed on lockdown following the shooting. According to War Secretary Pete Hegseth, Trump also ordered 500 additional National Guard members to the capital to bolster security. 

President Trump was not in Washington, D.C., at the time of the attack, having traveled to Mar-a-Lago in Florida on Monday for the Thanksgiving holiday.

“On behalf of the entire Air National Guard family, we are devastated by this senseless attack and are praying for the full recovery of the two West Virginia National Guard heroes who were viciously attacked while answering our nation’s call today. Our hearts are with the family and friends of these brave guardsmen,” the Air National Guard said in a post on X. 

On behalf of the entire Air National Guard family, we are devastated by this senseless attack and we are praying for the full recovery of two West Virginia National Guard heroes who were viciously attacked while answering our Nation’s call today. Our hearts are with the family… pic.twitter.com/PoUv5c2G4Z

— Air National Guard (@AirNatlGuard) November 27, 2025

Investigators are still working to determine the motive behind the attack, which D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser described as a “targeted shooting.” Authorities are also probing it as a possible act of international terrorism.