A 29-year-old Afghan national, who was arrested for shooting two West Virginia National Guard members near the White House in Washington, DC, had served as a soldier alongside the US military, according to sources. Rahmanullah Lakanwal served in the 01 Unit during the former Afghan Republic – a unit that was established, trained, and equipped by US intelligence, sources in the Afghan Taliban government said.

They said that many members of this unit are currently facing psychological issues, which have at times resulted in incidents of suicide as well as attacks carried out against others.

Washington Shooting

Lakanwal, who “gravely wounded two National Guards”, is a migrant from Afghanistan who came to the US during the chaotic 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal. He waited before he rounded the corner near the Farragut West Metro Station in Northwest DC around 2:15 pm (local time) and opened fire, striking a female guard in the chest before shooting her in the head, The New York Post reported, quoting law enforcement sources.

The crazed gunman then reportedly fired at the second guard until a third guard stationed nearby rushed to the area and took him down. The two armed soldiers were patrolling the streets when the suspect fired at them. They were taken to a nearby hospital and remain in a critical condition, authorities said.

Read more: Rahmanullah Lakanwal Said To Have Served alongside the US in Afghanistan