Suspect in Washington DC national guard shooting had ties to CIA, agency confirms

Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, worked with agency-backed military units during US war in Afghanistan

National Guard patrol on the National Mall near the U.S. Capitol, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

The suspected shooter of two national guard members in Washington DC on Wednesday worked with CIA-backed military units during the US war in Afghanistan, the agency has confirmed.

The alleged gunman, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, came to the US in September 2021 under an Operation Allies Welcome program that gave some Afghans who had worked for the US government entry visas to the US.