US Official: Afghan Migrant Suspect in National Guard Shooting Showed Signs of Radicalization
Kristi Noem, the United States Secretary of Homeland Security, has confirmed that Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan migrant accused of a deadly shooting targeting members of the U.S. National Guard, became inclined toward extremist ideologies after arriving in the U.S.
Speaking to NBC News, Noem stated that preliminary findings from security agencies indicate Lakanwal was radicalized during his life in the U.S., through interactions with local Afghan communities and connections to his native province of Khost. U.S. security officials are continuing to interrogate his family members and associates to uncover further details.
According to reports, the 29-year-old Lakanwal opened fire near the White House in Washington, D.C., last Wednesday, resulting in the death of one National Guard member and the serious injury of another, who remains in critical condition.
Originally from Khost province in southeastern Afghanistan, Lakanwal had reportedly worked with the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency prior to the collapse of the Afghan republic. Following the Taliban takeover in August 2021, he entered the U.S. through a program called “Operation Allies Welcome,” designed to resettle Afghans who had cooperated with the U.S. over the past two decades.
The incident has reignited concerns over the vetting process for Afghan refugees in the United States, especially those who left Afghanistan following the Taliban’s return to power. Meanwhile, some analysts have highlighted the psychological and social challenges faced by migrants in host countries, which may contribute to vulnerability to extremist groups.
Lakanwal is currently in custody as U.S. agencies continue their investigation.
