WASHINGTON
Two members of the US National Guard were shot in the nation’s capital, Washington, DC, on Wednesday on the eve of the Thanksgiving holiday.
"This heinous assault was an act of evil and act of hatred and an act of terror. It was a crime against our entire nation. It was a crime against humanity," President Donald Trump said in a video message from the state of Florida, where he is spending the holiday.
Trump said the suspect entered the US from Afghanistan in 2021 during former President Joe Biden’s term, vowing "to ensure that the animal who perpetrated this atrocity pays the steepest possible price."
"I can report tonight that, based on the best available information, the Department of Homeland Security is confident that the suspect in custody is a foreigner who entered our country from Afghanistan, a hellhole on earth. He was flown in by the Biden administration in September 2021," he said.
US media, citing law enforcement sources, reported that the suspect has been identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, who is now in custody.
"We must now reexamine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan under Biden, and we must take all necessary measures to ensure the removal of any alien from any country who does not belong here or add benefit to our country," Trump said.
Trump also said that he directed the Pentagon to mobilize an additional 500 troops to help protect Washington, DC.
"We will make America totally safe again, and we will bring the perpetrator of this barbaric attack to swift and certain justice," he added.
Wounded soldiers 'in critical condition'
FBI Director Kash Patel told reporters that the Guard members were "in critical condition" at local hospitals.
Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll said he visited them.
Earlier, West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced that the two West Virginia National Guard members had “passed away from their injuries" but later said there were “conflicting reports” about their condition.
Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said it was a "targeted shooting."
Separately, Jeffery Carroll, Executive Assistant Chief of Specialized Operations for the Metropolitan Police Department, told reporters there was no indication that there was any other suspect.
500 additional National Guard troops to DC
Speaking soon after the shooting, Vice President JD Vance said details surrounding the incident remain unclear.
"We're still learning everything. We still don't know the motive. There's a lot that we haven't yet figured out," Vance told US troops at Fort Campbell in the state of Kentucky.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Trump asked him for 500 additional National Guard troops, adding to the roughly 2,200 personnel already deployed to Washington, DC under the president’s immigration and crime crackdown.
"This happened just steps from the White House, and it will not stand, and President Trump has asked me, and I will ask the Secretary of the Army to the National Guard, to add 500 additional troops, National Guardsmen, to Washington, DC.
"This will only stiffen our resolve to ensure that we make Washington, DC safe and beautiful," Hegseth told reporters in the Dominican Republic.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on the US social media company X’s platform that her department was working with local law enforcement to gather more information.
Other top law enforcement officials also said federal agents were on the scene of the incident, which Attorney General Pam Bondi called a "horrific shooting."
'Closely monitoring the situation'
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he was monitoring the situation.
"My thoughts and prayers are with the National Guardsmen who were attacked this afternoon. I urge you to keep them in your prayers too," he said.
Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he was also "closely monitoring" the situation.
"I thank all the first responders for their quick action to capture the suspect," he added.
House Democrat Leader Hakeem Jeffries, meanwhile, highlighted that there was "no place for violence" in America.
House Speaker Mike Johnson also confirmed that the suspect is now in custody after the "tragic events."
"The National Guard has done heroic work this year, working around the clock to make our nation’s capital safe again. We are forever grateful for the swift actions of law enforcement and for all those who risk their own lives to protect everyone else," he said.
