Afghan Suspect Charged First-Degree Murder in WH Shooting

DID Press: US authorities announced that the Afghan national accused of shooting two U.S. National Guard members near the White House(WH) now faces a first-degree murder charge following the death of one of the soldiers.

Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, a citizen of Afghanistan, is accused of opening fire on the two National Guard members on Wednesday. One soldier has died, while the other remains in critical condition.

U.S. District Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, confirmed that additional charges would be filed following the fatality.

In response to the incident, President Donald Trump labeled the shooting as “terroristic” and indicated plans to halt immigration from certain developing countries. Simultaneously, the U.S. State Department suspended visa issuance for Afghan passport holders, and immigration authorities have temporarily paused processing Afghan asylum and immigration cases.

This shooting has reignited debates in the U.S. over domestic security, immigration policy, and the legacy of the 20-year conflict in Afghanistan.