Content: WASHINGTON — An Afghan national has been charged with shooting two members of the West Virginia National Guard near the White House. The incident occurred blocks from the presidential residence on Wednesday afternoon, raising concerns about the safety of military personnel in the nation’s capital.

The injured guard members, identified as Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, were hospitalized in critical condition. U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, confirmed the details during a news briefing. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey initially reported that the troops had died but later retracted that statement due to conflicting information about their condition.

The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, allegedly drove across the country to carry out what officials described as an “ambush-style” attack using a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver. He faces charges of assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a violent crime. Pirro noted that the charges could be upgraded depending on the victims' recovery, stating, "We are praying that they survive and that the highest charge will not have to be murder in the first degree. But make no mistake, if they do not, that will certainly be the charge."

Lakanwal entered the United States in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, a program designed to resettle Afghans who assisted U.S. forces during the war. This initiative brought approximately 76,000 individuals to the U.S. and has faced scrutiny regarding the vetting process. Lakanwal had been living in Bellingham, Washington, with his wife and five children.

Witnesses reported that the shooting occurred near a metro station, about two blocks from the White House. Jeffery Carroll, an executive assistant police chief, stated that the assailant approached and immediately opened fire on the guard members. Other troops in the vicinity responded quickly, subduing the shooter after he was injured.

The shooting has intensified discussions about the presence of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., especially as the Trump administration had recently ordered an additional 500 National Guard members to the area. The incident comes just before Thanksgiving, a time when the military's role in domestic security is under heightened scrutiny.

In a video message, former President Donald Trump called for a reinvestigation of Afghan refugees who entered the U.S. under the Biden administration, labeling the shooting as “a crime against our entire nation.”

As the investigation continues, law enforcement officials have not yet determined a motive for the attack. The situation remains fluid, with authorities working to confirm Lakanwal's background and any potential connections to extremist groups.

The National Guard members have been deployed in D.C. under an emergency order, which has been extended amid ongoing public safety concerns. Nearly 2,200 troops are currently assigned to the city, patrolling neighborhoods and participating in various security operations.

The shooting has prompted a strong response from military and government officials, with Army Secretary Dan Driscoll visiting the wounded guard members in the hospital. Vice President JD Vance remarked on the incident, emphasizing the role of soldiers as the “sword and shield of the United States of America.”