White House Shooting: Suspect Once Worked With CIA as US Opens Full Terrorism Probe

White House Shooting: Suspect Once Worked With CIA as US Opens Full Terrorism Probe

US authorities have disclosed that Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the man accused of shooting two National Guard members near the White House, previously worked with the CIA in Afghanistan before being relocated to the United States.

Lakanwal allegedly shot 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe on Wednesday, prompting a major security lockdown just a mile from the White House. By Thursday evening, President Donald Trump confirmed that Beckstrom had died from her injuries, while Wolfe “is fighting for his life.” The president condemned the attacker as an “animal” and vowed he would “pay a steep price.”

According to FBI Director Kash Patel, Lakanwal had “a relationship… with partner forces” during his time in Afghanistan, leading the FBI to open a full terrorism investigation to determine whether he has associates in the US.

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CIA Director John Ratcliffe further revealed that Lakanwal was brought into the United States due to his previous work with American agencies, including the CIA, as part of a partner force in Kandahar. He was evacuated under Operation Allies Welcome in 2021, applied for asylum in 2024 and received protected status in April 2025.

Former colleagues described him as a “sporty and jolly” GPS tracker specialist who assisted in guarding American troops at Kabul airport during the chaotic evacuation before the Taliban takeover. His unit, known as the Scorpion Forces, initially operated under the CIA before being transferred to Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security (NDS). The group continued guarding the airport until they were flown to the US.

US Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced that Lakanwal faces three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, in addition to firearms charges — an announcement made before Beckstrom’s death was confirmed.

White House Shooting: Suspect Once Worked With CIA as US Opens Full Terrorism Probe