Controversial Claims Surround Washington DC Shooting Suspect & US Military Ties
The tragic shooting in Washington D.C. that claimed the lives of two National Guard members has ignited a fierce debate, particularly after right-wing commentator Nick Fuentes put forth a controversial theory regarding the perpetrator. While authorities are probing the incident as a potential act of terrorism, Fuentes suggests the alleged gunman, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was not a hidden extremist but rather a former associate of the United States military.
Fuentes's Controversial Allegations
During a recent broadcast, Nick Fuentes asserted that the Afghans brought to the U.S. following the 2021 withdrawal were not merely refugees. Instead, he claimed many were individuals who had directly collaborated with American forces as recruits. Fuentes argued that these individuals, evacuated under programs like Operation Allies Welcome, were brought to the U.S. because their cooperation with the U.S. military made them targets once the Taliban reclaimed power in Afghanistan. He controversially labeled them as U.S. military “mercenaries,” challenging the narrative that they were simply ordinary refugees.
Details Emerge on the Suspect
The shooting suspect has been identified as 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal. Records indicate he entered the United States in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome but subsequently overstayed his visa. According to law enforcement, Lakanwal reportedly ambushed two Guardsmen who were on patrol near Farragut West Metro Station in Washington D.C. Tragically, one female guard was fatally shot in the chest and head, while a second guard also sustained injuries. A third soldier intervened, neutralizing the attacker, who was shot four times and transported from the scene.
Further details from family members, shared with NBC News, suggest Lakanwal had a history with the Afghan Army in Kandahar. They claimed he had worked closely with U.S. Special Forces and was even wounded in combat before his arrival in America.
Ongoing Investigation and Motive
As the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) continues its inquiry, the motive behind the attack remains officially unannounced. However, the agency is actively treating the case as a potential act of terrorism. Lakanwal had been residing in Bellingham, Washington, a city that received Afghan evacuees under Operation Allies Welcome. Federal sources, cited by the New York Post, revealed that his Special Immigrant Visa had expired in September. The unfolding investigation seeks to clarify the circumstances and motivations behind this deadly assault.
