According to three law-enforcement officials familiar with the inquiry, Lakanwal is an Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021. He filed an asylum application in 2024 and received approval in April 2025. Investigators are reviewing travel records, electronic devices, and possible contacts to determine whether the shooting was inspired or directed by a foreign terrorist organization. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has opened a parallel probe and is treating the incident as a potential act of international terrorism, the sources said.
Security measures and White House lockdown
Immediately after the gunfire, the U.S. Secret Service placed the White House complex on temporary lockdown as a precaution. The order was lifted around 5 p.m. after agents determined there was no ongoing threat to the executive mansion. President Donald Trump and the first lady were in Florida at the time, spending the Thanksgiving holiday at the Mar-a-Lago Club.
A joint news conference is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, where FBI Director Kash Patel and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro are expected to provide updated information on the investigation and the soldiers’ conditions.
Context: National Guard presence in the capital
The West Virginia troops are part of a 2,188-member National Guard task force operating in the District of Columbia since August, when the federal government assumed control of public-safety operations in the city. The deployment followed a directive from President Trump aimed at bolstering security in areas he described as high-crime zones.
During the annual Thanksgiving turkey-pardon ceremony on Tuesday, the president praised the Guard’s role, asserting that “every street in Washington” had become safe under the expanded federal presence. Less than 24 hours later, Wednesday’s attack occurred within walking distance of the White House grounds and several federal office buildings.
Victims’ conditions and ongoing investigation
Medical officials at George Washington University Hospital said the two wounded soldiers underwent emergency surgery Wednesday evening. Both sustained multiple gunshot wounds and remain in critical but stable condition. Their names have not been released pending family notification.
Imagem: Internet
Investigators recovered the suspect’s firearm at the scene and are conducting ballistic tests to determine the weapon’s origin and whether it was used in any prior crimes. Detectives have also seized the suspect’s mobile phone and laptop, which will be analyzed by the FBI’s Digital Forensics Laboratory.
Potential motive under scrutiny
Law-enforcement officials emphasized that the evidence collected so far indicates a deliberate assault on uniformed Guard members rather than a random shooting. Analysts are examining Lakanwal’s social-media activity and communications for indications of extremist ideology or coordination with overseas actors.
Officials have not confirmed whether the attacker had been on any federal watch list or under prior scrutiny. Results of background checks, immigration records, and interviews with acquaintances are expected to be disclosed once investigators complete preliminary assessments.
Public safety measures
In the wake of the incident, the Metropolitan Police Department increased patrols around major transit hubs and federal facilities. The National Guard command has temporarily consolidated foot patrols into larger formations and implemented additional protective equipment for soldiers assigned to public-order duties.
City officials urged commuters to expect an elevated law-enforcement presence in downtown corridors and advised residents to report suspicious activity to the Metropolitan Police tip line.
Authorities plan to release further details about charging decisions, the suspect’s medical status, and security adjustments after Thursday’s briefing.
Crédito da imagem: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
