White House Area Shooting Being Treated as Terrorism
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is treating Wednesday's shooting near the White House that left two US National Guard soldiers critically wounded as an act of terrorism, according to official statements made on Thursday.
FBI director Kash Patel confirmed to reporters that multiple agencies are coordinating on what he described as "an ongoing investigation of terrorism." This confirmation came a day after the violent incident that occurred just blocks from the presidential residence.
Attack Details and Immediate Aftermath
The shooting took place on Wednesday afternoon near the intersection of 17th Street NW and I Street NW, an area that includes the Eisenhower Executive Office Building used by White House staff. According to US media reports, the location is considered highly sensitive due to its proximity to key government buildings.
Following the gunfire, several important government facilities including the White House, Main Treasury, and Freedman's Bank Building were immediately placed under lockdown as a security precaution. The swift response demonstrated the seriousness with which authorities treated the situation.
Political Response and Suspect Identification
Former President Donald Trump issued a strong statement regarding the attack, referring to the shooter as "the animal that shot the two National Guardsmen" and promising severe consequences. Trump emphasized that the attacker would "pay a very steep price" despite being severely wounded during the incident.
Authorities have identified the suspect as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021. Investigators revealed that Lakanwal had previously worked with the CIA during operations in Afghanistan, adding complexity to the case.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the administration was actively monitoring developments, calling the situation "tragic" in her official statement.
Ongoing Investigation and Security Measures
Andrew Enriquez, spokesperson for the joint task force DC, indicated that comprehensive response efforts were underway but declined to release specific details at this early stage of the investigation. The coordinated approach involves multiple local and federal agencies working together to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the attack.
The incident has raised serious security concerns about the protection of military personnel stationed in high-profile government areas and has prompted reviews of existing security protocols around key Washington DC landmarks.
