Authorities in the nation’s capital are examining the circumstances behind a shooting at a District of Columbia National Guard facility on Monday that left one service member injured and the alleged gunman dead. Officials say early evidence points to a lone assailant with a documented history of mental health struggles.
The incident unfolded shortly after noon at the National Guard Readiness Center in Southwest Washington, where security personnel first encountered the suspect during a routine checkpoint interaction. According to investigators, the man then drove toward the main entrance before abruptly stopping his vehicle. When a uniformed service member approached him, the suspect reportedly stepped out and opened fire, striking the guard in the leg.
Other National Guard personnel on site returned fire, killing the shooter within moments. The injured service member was taken to a nearby hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.
Authorities have identified the suspect as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a former Afghan interpreter who worked alongside U.S. military units and intelligence personnel during the war in Afghanistan. Lakanwal came to the United States as a refugee following the 2021 collapse of Kabul and later obtained legal permanent residency.
Officials say the investigation is focused on understanding Lakanwal’s recent behavior and mental health status. Multiple individuals familiar with the case described him as having experienced significant emotional distress in the months leading up to the shooting. He had reportedly been receiving psychiatric care and had expressed paranoia and fear to acquaintances.
Friends and former colleagues told investigators that Lakanwal struggled to adjust to civilian life after arriving in the United States. Despite a strong record of service during the war, those close to him said he faced ongoing trauma, social isolation, and difficulty maintaining stable employment. He had most recently worked in gig-economy jobs and the construction sector but had been unemployed in recent months.
Law enforcement agencies, including the Metropolitan Police Department, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, are jointly investigating the case. Authorities emphasized that there is no evidence linking the incident to any foreign extremist groups and no broader threat to the public.
Officials have recovered the firearm used in the attack and continue to analyze evidence from the suspect’s vehicle. The D.C. National Guard said it is fully cooperating with investigators and will review its security procedures in light of the shooting.
The case has renewed conversations about the challenges faced by wartime interpreters resettled in the United States, many of whom continue to navigate trauma, cultural adjustments, and the instability of starting over while carrying the weight of their past service.
As investigators continue piecing together Lakanwal’s final days, authorities say their priority is determining what triggered the attack-and what additional support systems may have prevented it.
