Two National Guard members from West Virginia were shot in Washington D.C. on November 26 near the White House in what the mayor called a targeted attack.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal "has been identified as the suspect," NBC News reported, citing four unnamed but senior law enforcement sources. NBC reported that Rahmanullah Lakanwal is 29 and was last living in Bellingham, Washington.
West Virginia's Governor Patrick Morrisey confirmed on X that the wounded guardsmen were from his state. He initially said they were both dead. However, he then posted another statement that appeared to hedge on the first.
And in a news conference, authorities said the soldiers were in critical condition.
Metropolitan Police Executive Assistant Chief Jeffery Carroll said in a news conference that the suspect “came around the corner, raised his arm with a firearm and discharged at the National Guard members.” D.C.'s Mayor Muriel Bowser said in the news conference that it appeared the suspect had targeted the National Guardsmen. The chief said it's believed there is only one suspect.
"It is with great sorrow that we can confirm both members of the West Virginia National Guard who were shot earlier today in Washington, DC have passed away from their injuries," the West Virginia governor initially wrote.
"These brave West Virginians lost their lives in the service of their country. We are in ongoing contact with federal officials as the investigation continues. Our entire state grieves with their families, their loved ones, and the Guard community," he said. "West Virginia will never forget their service or their sacrifice, and we will demand full accountability for this horrific act."
After that, though, the governor posted another statement. It read, "We are now receiving conflicting reports about the condition of our two Guard members and will provide additional updates once we receive more complete information. Our prayers are with these brave service members, their families, and the entire Guard community."
NBC News reported that Lakanwal was "initially identified as an Afghan national" and that authorities are investigating the attack as a possible act of terrorism.
According to NewsNation, it's alleged that Lakanwal "entered the U.S. in 2021" as part of the Operation Allies Welcome "in the aftermath of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan."
His "permission to be in the U.S. expired in September of this year, and he is now in the country illegally," law enforcement sources told NewsNation.
The victims' names were not yet released. They engaged in gunfire with the suspect, who is under arrest, according to CNN.
The Metropolitan Police Department wrote on X, "Critical Incident: MPD is on the scene of a shooting at 17th and I Street, NW. Please avoid the area. Updates to come." The police added, "UPDATE: The scene is secured. One suspect is in custody." They did not provide additional details.
ABC News confirmed with "multiple officials" that two National Guardsmen were shot in downtown D.C., not far from the White House. The Associated Press also confirmed with sources that two National Guardsmen were shot.
The National Guardsmen were initially listed in critical condition, The Associated Press reported.
According to ABC News, "There was an active shooter incident at 2:20 p.m. ET at the entrance to the Farragut West Metro station." It's not yet clear whether that was connected to the National Guard shooting, though.
Photos emerged on X of the law enforcement response at the scene.
The New York Times reported that "dozens of emergency responders and police vehicles were amassed at the corner of 17th and I Streets NW, near the entrance of a hotel just northwest of the White House." According to the Times, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also confirmed that two National Guardsmen were shot.
The Times described an "apparent victim, who was loaded into an ambulance with his mouth and nose covered in blood," although the newspaper did not explain who that victim was.
According to the Times, agents with the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Secret Service responded to the scene.
A video posted to X showed police vehicles and crime scene tape, along with National Guard members standing together on the sidewalk.
This is a developing story.