A recently arrived Afghan evacuee charged in the shooting of two National Guard members near the D.C. Armory had previously raised concerns about unemployment and unstable housing with a federal resettlement caseworker, according to law enforcement officials familiar with the investigation.
The suspect, 32-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, faces several charges, including assault with intent to kill, after authorities say he opened fire early on November 8, injuring members of the South Dakota National Guard who were assisting local police operations in Washington, D.C.
Concerns Raised Before the Shooting
Investigators say Lakanwal exchanged multiple emails in October with a caseworker from the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), one of the agencies contracted by the government to help resettle Afghan arrivals. In those messages, he reportedly described his financial struggles, difficulty finding work, and dissatisfaction with temporary housing.
USCRI confirmed that Lakanwal had been receiving assistance from the organization and stated it is cooperating with authorities. However, the group declined to discuss specific services provided, citing privacy rules for resettled individuals.
Background and Arrival in the U.S.
Officials say Lakanwal previously served in Afghanistan’s “Zero Unit,” a special operations group that worked alongside U.S. intelligence services before the fall of Kabul in 2021. After the Taliban takeover, he fled and was brought to the United States in early 2022 under the humanitarian parole program, which was designed for Afghans considered at risk due to their work with American forces.
Authorities are reviewing his background checks and screening history as part of the broader investigation.
Details of the November 8 Shooting
The incident unfolded around 6:30 a.m. near the D.C. Armory, where Guard members from multiple states were supporting the Metropolitan Police Department. According to officials:
One soldier was shot in the leg.
Another soldier was grazed by a bullet.
Both were transported to a local hospital and released the same day.
Lakanwal was taken into custody at the scene without further confrontation.
Political Reaction
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem issued a statement shortly after the attack, urging that the suspect be deported immediately once criminal proceedings conclude. She argued that individuals who harm U.S. service members “should not remain in the country under any circumstances.”
Governor Noem has been a vocal critic of the Afghan parole program and has previously supported efforts to remove parolees accused of violent offenses.
Ongoing Investigation
The Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI continue to investigate the motive behind the shooting. Detectives have not yet determined whether the attack stemmed from personal grievances, mental health concerns, or another factor.
Lakanwal remains in custody in Washington, D.C., as court hearings proceed.
