Two US National Guard personnel were shot near the White House in Washington, D.C., leaving both critically injured, American media reported on Thursday.
According to initial reports, a man opened fire on the National Guard service members near the White House perimeter, prompting a swift response from law enforcement. A heavy police contingent reached the scene immediately after the shooting.
Both injured guardsmen were rushed to a nearby hospital, where they remain in critical condition.
Police confirmed that a suspect has been taken into custody. U.S. authorities identified him as 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who arrived in the United States in 2021.
Following the incident, the White House was placed under temporary lockdown, while surrounding areas were cordoned off. Residents were advised to avoid the vicinity of I Street.
The US Secretary of Homeland Security said the department is working closely with law enforcement agencies to gather details.
President Donald Trump condemned the attack, calling it an act of terrorism. During a speech, he also ordered a re-evaluation of every foreign national who entered the U.S. during the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan.
In a social media statement, Trump referred to the shooter as a “beast” and warned that the attacker would “pay a heavy price” for targeting National Guard troops.
Authorities said the two injured guardsmen were from West Virginia. The state’s governor stated he is in constant contact with federal officials and that investigations are underway.
In a separate development, flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport were briefly grounded due to heightened security concerns following the shooting. Normal operations resumed after a short suspension.
Meanwhile, United States has suspended all immigration applications submitted by Afghan nationals indefinitely, American media reported.
According to reports, the Trump administration ordered the immediate halt after an Afghan man shot and critically injured two National Guard personnel in Washington, D.C.
In a post on social media platform X, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that all immigration applications from Afghan citizens have been paused “for an indefinite period.”
The agency stated that security and screening protocols for Afghan immigration cases will undergo further review before any applications are processed.
