Disturbing new footage has emerged showing the chaotic aftermath of a shooting incident near the White House that left two National Security Guards injured. The videos capture the intense moments when US police apprehended the suspected gunman, identified as an Afghan national who entered the country during the 2021 evacuation operation.
Suspect Identified as Afghan Evacuee
Law enforcement officials have identified the suspect as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national residing in Washington state. According to multiple sources familiar with the case, authorities are still working to verify his complete background and history.
The suspect came to the United States in 2021 as part of Operation Allies Welcome, the Biden administration's initiative that evacuated and resettled tens of thousands of Afghans following the US military withdrawal from Afghanistan. The Thursday incident has raised serious questions about the vetting process for evacuees.
Political Fallout and Security Measures
Former President Donald Trump immediately seized on the security breach to demand stricter immigration policies. "We must now reexamine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan" under the Biden administration, Trump stated in his response to the incident.
He further emphasized, "We must take all necessary measures to endure the removal of any alien from any country who does not belong here, or add benefit to our country if they can't love our country, we don't want them."
In a significant policy shift, the United States has indefinitely suspended all immigration requests from Afghan nationals. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the immediate halt through a post on social media platform X.
Immediate Immigration Freeze
The USCIS statement clarified the new directive: "Effective immediately, processing of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals is stopped indefinitely pending further review of security and vetting protocols."
The agency emphasized that "the protection and safety of our homeland and of the American people remains our singular focus and mission" in making this decision. This move represents one of the most significant security responses to the White House shooting incident and reflects growing concerns about the vetting processes for Afghan evacuees.
The newly emerged videos show a scene of confusion and rapid response as law enforcement officers secured the area and captured the suspect. The visual evidence provides a clearer picture of the security breach that has prompted both political controversy and immediate policy changes affecting Afghan nationals seeking to enter the United States.
