D.C. Police May Coordinate More Closely With National Guard After Shooting Near White House
In the wake of a targeted shooting near the White House that critically wounded two National Guard members, D.C. authorities are exploring closer collaboration between Metropolitan Police and National Guard troops to bolster security in the nation’s capital.
The shooting occurred on Wednesday afternoon, November 26, 2025, around 2:15 p.m. near the Farragut West Metro station, just blocks away from the White House. The attack left two National Guard members in critical condition and resulted in the death of Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, while Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains hospitalized following surgery. The suspected shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, was wounded by returning fire and taken into custody. Authorities do not believe he poses any further threat.[1][2][3]
Lakanwal, who had previous ties to the U.S. through his work with the CIA as part of partner forces in Kandahar, reportedly traveled from Washington state with the intent to target National Guard personnel on patrol. The attack is under investigation as a possible act of terrorism. Federal and local law enforcement agencies, including the Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, responded swiftly to the incident.[3]
The shooting has prompted renewed discussion about the security strategy in Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office has stated that local officials are closely monitoring the situation. The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, which has been coordinating with the National Guard personnel deployed under a federal emergency order issued by President Trump earlier this year, is now considering pairing officers more directly with National Guard members for patrol duties downtown and in high-profile security zones near the White House.[1][2]
Approximately 2,188 National Guard troops from D.C. and multiple states were activated as part of a crime crackdown federal takeover of local policing since August 2025. President Trump, during the recent Thanksgiving turkey pardoning, praised the Guard’s efforts, asserting that what was once one of the most unsafe cities in the U.S. has become “totally safe” because of their deployment.[1]
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, whose state’s guardsmen were among those attacked, visited the injured soldiers and the White House to discuss the incident and heightened security measures. He emphasized the need for a “comprehensive investigation” to ensure accountability and prevention of similar attacks. Brigadier General Leland D. Blanchard II, commander of the D.C. National Guard, announced plans to deploy an additional 500 Guard troops to the city in response to the shooting.[1]
Officials have charged the suspect with multiple counts, including assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. The case remains active, and the injured Guard members’ conditions continue to be closely monitored.[3]
The incident has raised questions about the coordination between federal, local, and military law enforcement agencies in securing the nation’s capital, especially around critical government zones. The possible pairing of D.C. police officers with National Guard members on patrol aims to increase oversight, rapid response capabilities, and public safety in a city with increasing national and international attention to its security challenges.[1][2]
An official statement from D.C. police authorities and the National Guard is expected soon outlining any new operational protocols and inter-agency collaborations following this tragic event.