Two US National Guard members are fighting for their lives after being shot near the White House in Washington DC. The shooting, described as "targeted", has sent shockwaves through the nation's capital, prompting an immediate response from law enforcement.
In a bizarre incident, an Afghan national who entered the United States under a Biden-era program allowing Afghans to enter the country after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan has been identified as the suspect. Rahmanullah Lakanwal is currently in custody and faces severe charges for his role in the attack.
President Donald Trump described the shooting as "a hellhole on earth" and an "animal", before calling for an investigation into all Afghans who entered the US under Operation Allies Welcome, a program he had previously expressed disdain for. He also ordered 500 additional National Guard troops to be deployed to Washington DC, citing the need to address what he described as a growing national security threat.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing several National Guard troops running across Farragut Square, where the shooting took place, with office buildings in the area being locked down and staff told to stay away from glass doors. The White House was also placed under lockdown.
In a bizarre twist, West Virginia's governor Patrick Morrisey initially reported that both soldiers had been killed, before later clarifying that more information was needed. However, he did confirm that they were fighting for their lives after being shot in the attack.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from politicians on both sides of the aisle, with former President Barack Obama issuing a statement expressing his outrage at the shooting and condemning violence as having no place in America.
In a bizarre incident, an Afghan national who entered the United States under a Biden-era program allowing Afghans to enter the country after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan has been identified as the suspect. Rahmanullah Lakanwal is currently in custody and faces severe charges for his role in the attack.
President Donald Trump described the shooting as "a hellhole on earth" and an "animal", before calling for an investigation into all Afghans who entered the US under Operation Allies Welcome, a program he had previously expressed disdain for. He also ordered 500 additional National Guard troops to be deployed to Washington DC, citing the need to address what he described as a growing national security threat.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing several National Guard troops running across Farragut Square, where the shooting took place, with office buildings in the area being locked down and staff told to stay away from glass doors. The White House was also placed under lockdown.
In a bizarre twist, West Virginia's governor Patrick Morrisey initially reported that both soldiers had been killed, before later clarifying that more information was needed. However, he did confirm that they were fighting for their lives after being shot in the attack.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from politicians on both sides of the aisle, with former President Barack Obama issuing a statement expressing his outrage at the shooting and condemning violence as having no place in America.
this is just insane what's goin on here? Some dude comes in under some program and suddenly we're dealin with targeted shootings near the White House... I mean, what's next? 
it's crazy how fast things can escalate. And now Trump's jumpin in with his own two cents, like he's some kinda expert on national security... newsflash, Mr. President: you may not have been in office for a hot second, but you're still the one makin' claims about people who came into this country under your watch 
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. And that operation, Operation Allies Welcome, was a good thing that brought people to the country who'd been living through some serious trauma in Afghanistan. Let's not turn that into a witch hunt, you know? President Trump's just trying to stir up drama as usual, and now we've got politicians from both sides jumping on the bandwagon 
. It's all just so... predictable 
near the White House... targeted shooting? that's wild. Rahmanullah Lakanwal is in custody but still, it's a major incident and everyone's on high alert. I mean, I know Trump can be a bit dramatic 
but calling an "animal" might not be the best approach either lol. But for real, this just goes to show that there's no safe place anymore 
like, we're supposed to be all about spreading love and kindness, not gun violence 
. I'm worried sick about those two National Guard members who are fighting for their lives 
. It's crazy that some people would resort to such senseless acts of violence 
. Can't we all just get along and support each other instead of resorting to hate and fear? 
We need to come together as a nation to address our gun violence problem once and for all 
. Not sure what's more concerning, the fact that there's an active shooter or that some dude from Afghanistan did this 
. And now Trump is all over it, calling for investigations and deploying more National Guard troops? This just smells like politics to me 
. I mean, I get why they're concerned about national security, but come on, you can't just throw around accusations without knowing the facts. And what's with Patrick Morrisey getting their facts straight before announcing that both soldiers were killed? That's just sloppy journalism 
. This whole thing is just a mess 
. But, on the other hand, I'm like, what's with all these Afghans entering the country under some program? I thought we were done with that whole thing, right? 
It's like he was just trying to throw everyone off the scent. But, I guess it does show how quickly things can escalate in a situation like this... it's all just really confusing 
.
This is just so senseless 
... I don't get why Gov Morrisey initially said both guys were dead 
... like, how do you even know that? 
... We need more than just empty promises from our leaders to keep us safe 
... Can we just focus on supporting the victims and their families for once? 
and the fact that the suspect is an Afghan national who entered the US under a program meant to help people after the withdrawal from Afghanistan just makes it even more heartbreaking... 
I just want everyone involved to get the support and care they need... 
. I mean, Rahmanullah Lakanwal's actions are despicable, but do we really need to go down this road with more arrests and investigations? It feels like we're just stirring up more drama and making a bigger deal out of it than necessary 
.
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like, what's his story? is he just some random dude or was there somethin else goin on? 
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i feel bad for those soldiers tho, been shot & all 
. operation allies welcome sounds like a legit program but trump's always drama, you feel? 
This is just so senseless... Two brave National Guard members hurt and an Afghan national arrested for targeting them near the White House... what's going on with our world right now? 
I mean, Patrick Morrisey, West Virginia governor, trying to keep it real by first saying those soldiers were killed lol, what's next? 
And now Trump is calling for an investigation into Operation Allies Welcome. Like, dude, you're 2 years late to the party 
. Can't we just try to understand each other's perspectives instead of demonizing entire groups? 
my heart goes out to them and their families, this is just so senseless 
my thoughts are with everyone affected by this incident. it's just... so senseless