The Afghan Shooter's Hidden Past

An Afghan man, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is suspected of shooting two National Guard members in Washington, D. C. He was once part of a special counterterrorism unit in Afghanistan. This unit, known as NDS-03, worked closely with the CIA and fought against the Taliban. The CIA confirmed that Lakanwal came to the U. S. in 2021 because of his past work with the U. S. government. Lakanwal was evacuated by the U. S. military after Kabul fell in 2021. He arrived under humanitarian parole, a temporary status for Afghans who helped the U. S. and were at risk. He applied for asylum during Biden's presidency and was granted it in 2025 under Trump's administration. The FBI is investigating Lakanwal's ties to U. S. and allied forces in Afghanistan. They are looking into his background and any associates he might have. Some claim he was not properly vetted, but others argue that all asylum seekers go through extensive checks. Vetting for asylum includes identity checks, background checks, biometric screening, interviews, and risk assessments. Those granted asylum can apply for a green card after a year. AfghanEvac, a nonprofit helping Afghans who assisted the U. S. , stated that this act does not represent the Afghan community, which undergoes rigorous vetting.