On November 26, 2025, an ambush style attack took place in Washington, D.C., near the White House. On the same day, Washington D.C.’s Mayor, Muriel Bowser, classified it as a targeted attack, specifically against the national guard. Two national guard members, one man and one woman, were shot. Andrew Wolfe, 24, was critically injured, but is currently showing positive signs of recovery. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, however, passed from her injuries on November 27, 2025, presumably in hospital.

The shooter has now been identified as Afghan man Rahmanullah Lakanwal. He is a refugee from Afghanistan who came to America in 2021, under Operation Allies, which was an effort started to rehome Afghanistan citizens who helped the United States during the 20 year post 9/11 war, and are now facing threats from their home country. Lakanwal applied for asylum, which is a form of protection that allows a person to stay in the United States in fear of being deported or removed to a country where they may be harmed. This year, 2025, in April, the Trump administration granted Lakanwal the asylum.

Now, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services have announced they have stopped processing all immigration cases in relationship to Afghanistan due to this tragedy. Additionally, the Trump administration has requested for the mobilization of 500 more National Guard troops into Washington D.C., showing signs that they are not backing down anytime soon. There’s current disagreements between judges over if this deployment of troops is unlawful, but as of now, the 500 National Guard troops have not been removed from Washington, D.C.

“I will tell you right now,” said Pam Bondi, General Attorney, speaking about the gunman, “…we will do everything in our power to seek the death penalty…” Despite the attack being classified as targeted, there’s no certain motives, and detectives are still actively investigating what could’ve driven Lakanwal to commit this atrocity. Lakanwal, as of November 27, 2025, has been in police custody.