CIA-linked Afghan evacuee identified in P-Street shooting that critically wounded two National Guard members
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who worked with U.S. contractors and a CIA-backed unit, was identified as the suspect in a November 26, 2025, P-Street shooting near the White House that critically wounded two National Guard members.
Key takeaways
- Suspect: Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, named by investigators as the suspected shooter in the P-Street attack; reporting by Time and the Times of India.
- U.S. ties and vetting: Reporting says he worked with U.S. contractors, served as a logistics coordinator for American Special Forces and with a CIA partner unit; he entered the U.S. in 2021 and was approved for asylum in April 2025 after vetting.
- Investigation: The FBI is treating the case as potential international terrorism while examining social media and travel history; public links to foreign extremist groups had not been established as of the latest reports (video reporting).
Main content
Key information
Suspect identified: Investigators named Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, as the suspected shooter in the P-Street incident that left two National Guard members critically injured. Reporting is drawn from Time and the Times of India.
U.S. government ties: Reporting says Lakanwal worked with U.S. contractors, served as a logistics coordinator for American Special Forces, and worked with the CIA as part of a Kandahar partner force known as the Kandahar Strike Force (KSF).
Asylum and vetting: He reportedly arrived in the U.S. in 2021, filed for asylum in December 2024, and had asylum approved in April 2025 after biometric checks, interviews and interagency reviews, per reporting and broadcast accounts (Times of India; video reporting).
Investigation status: The FBI is treating the case as involving potential international terrorism while investigators work to determine whether Lakanwal had ties to overseas extremist groups; as of the latest public reports, authorities had not publicly established links to international terrorist networks (video reporting).
Background: service in Afghanistan
Investigative reporting presents a complex background: born in Kabul in 1996, Lakanwal reportedly worked alongside U.S. forces in several roles during the final years of the Afghan war. He is described as having served as a logistics coordinator for a U.S. contractor, participating in supply runs supporting American Special Forces in Helmand Province (Times of India).
Reportedly, he also served with a CIA-backed partner unit, the Kandahar Strike Force, operating with U.S. special operations at bases such as Firebase GECKO in Kandahar. Multiple U.S. Marines who encountered him in combat reportedly wrote endorsements on his behalf, praising conduct under fire.
Path to the United States and asylum approval
Lakanwal’s relocation to the U.S. is part of the broader evacuation of Afghans who worked with American forces and agencies. He reportedly arrived in 2021 and later sought asylum amid fears of Taliban reprisals for his ties to U.S. personnel and operations. Sources report his asylum application was filed in December 2024 and approved in April 2025 after a vetting process including biometric checks and interagency reviews (Times of India; video reporting).
These facts have intensified debate over vetting and accountability. Officials emphasize that vetting was completed while investigators continue to verify identity and any potential international connections (Time).
The shooting and the investigation
The attack occurred Wednesday afternoon near the White House in Northwest Washington, D.C. Two National Guard members were shot and transported to a hospital in critical condition (video reporting; Time).
Law enforcement used fingerprint analysis to identify the suspect, while continuing to confirm identity and trace recent movements. Authorities noted a connection between the suspect and Bellingham, Washington, as they worked to piece together travel and residency history.
“A crime against our entire nation,” President Trump said, calling the attack a “heinous assault” and an “act of evil and act of hatred and an act of terror.” (Time)
Social media and signs of radicalization
Reporting indicates Lakanwal’s now-deleted X account showed an ideological shift over the summer, with posts reportedly containing anti-Western commentary, praise for Taliban messaging, and critiques of U.S. drone strikes. Investigators are examining whether those posts indicate contacts with overseas extremists; as of the latest public reports no concrete international group ties had been established (Times of India).
Context: the debate over evacuations and visas
The case has reignited debate about Afghan evacuations, Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs), and admissions policy. Veteran advocacy groups such as No One Left Behind and Veterans for Afghan Allies lobbied for broader SIV access and protections for interpreters and local partners; supporters argued many Afghans faced genuine danger if left behind, while critics urged rigorous vetting to protect U.S. communities (Times of India).
Officials face a difficult balance: Lakanwal’s reported work with U.S. forces and the CIA made him a candidate for protection, yet the alleged attack and signs of radicalization raise concerns about vetting and the potential for violence by a small number of admitted individuals (Time; video reporting).
Implications for Hesperia, California
Economic impact
- Local budgets: Public safety officials and county leaders may face pressure to allocate more resources to security and emergency response planning; federal attention on vetting and enforcement could affect local budgets and services.
- Business confidence: Small businesses serving veterans and military families might see heightened concern, though Hesperia’s retail, services and construction sectors are unlikely to face direct disruption.
Political consequences
- Election messaging: The incident provides talking points for conservative leaders in San Bernardino County and the High Desert, likely prompting renewed calls for stricter vetting and enforcement.
- Local officials: City leaders may receive constituent requests for briefings on preparedness and whether any evacuees or parolees have settled locally, potentially accelerating advocacy for policy changes.
Social effects
- Veterans and service members: Hesperia’s large veteran population may experience increased anxiety; veteran groups and faith communities may mobilize to support families of the wounded.
- Community tension: Incidents tied to foreign nationals can raise social strain; community leaders should expect questions about newcomers and plan public forums to prevent misinformation.
Cultural relevance
The fact that Lakanwal reportedly served alongside U.S. forces complicates narratives. Many Hesperia residents value loyalty to veterans and service members; this case will spur debate about protecting allies while safeguarding American communities.
Practical applications for residents
- Safety preparedness: Residents should review local emergency alerts and county resources; veteran groups and faith communities may offer support services.
- Civic engagement: Concerned citizens can contact county supervisors and members of Congress to seek clarity on evacuee screening and notification processes.
Sources and reporting notes
This article draws on reporting from Time Magazine, the Times of India, and recent broadcast reporting including FBI and law enforcement statements as the investigation develops. Key reporting sources: Time Magazine ; Times of India ; video reporting.
Reporting continues as federal investigators work to confirm identity details, examine social media and travel history, and determine whether there are international ties. The FBI has described its probe as involving potential international terrorism, and the White House and Department of Homeland Security have pledged cooperation with ongoing law enforcement efforts (Time; video reporting).
