A shooting of two National Guard troops just blocks from the White House rocked Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, and new details have surfaced about the suspected gunman.
The shooting occurred at the intersection of 17th St. and I St. Authorities believe the gunman acted alone. Both troops were in critical condition as of Wednesday night.
The shooting renewed a fiery debate about political violence and sparked curiosity about the shooter and his motive.
Here are five things we know about the shooter so far.
He is a 29-year-old immigrant from Afghanistan who came to the United States in 2021 as part of the U.S. exit from the country, according to CNN reporting.
Overall, more than 78,000 Afghans were resettled in the U.S. after the withdrawal.
Four law enforcement sources told NBC News that Lakanwal lived in Bellingham, Washington, after he immigrated.
Lakanwal applied for asylum in 2021 and was granted it in April 2025, CNN reported.
His current immigration status wasn't immediately known.
Lakanwal surprised two National Guard troops at the intersection of 17th St. and I St., according to authorities. Another nearby Guardsman rushed to the scene and subdued Lakanwal until local police arrived to arrest him, reports indicate.
Lakanwal sustained injuries during the shooting and was taken to a local hospital for treatment, according to reports.
The extent of his injuries remained unknown.
CNN reported that Lakanwal is not cooperating with law enforcement.