Washington: A National Guard soldier was killed in an ambush near the White House, an act investigators suspect was carried out by an Afghan national. The attack has led President Donald Trump to criticize President Joe Biden's immigration vetting processes and order a comprehensive review of asylum cases.
According to Thai News Agency, 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom succumbed to gunshot wounds, while her colleague, 24-year-old Andrew Wolf, remains in critical condition. Authorities are treating the ambush as a potential terrorist act.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is conducting a broad investigation, which includes searching multiple locations. This includes a residence in Washington state connected to the suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old who was reportedly part of a CIA-backed unit in Afghanistan. Lakanwal entered the United States in 2021 through a resettlement program.
FBI Director Kash Patel revealed at a news conference that agents confiscated several electronic devices from Lakanwal's home, including a cell phone, laptop, and iPad, and have interviewed his family members.
President Trump criticized President Biden's administration, alleging that the suspect was one of many Afghans who entered the country without proper inspection during the US's hasty troop withdrawal in 2021. However, Trump did not provide evidence to support his claim.
The gunman, armed with a .357 Magnum pistol, shot both soldiers before being wounded in an exchange of gunfire with other soldiers. Trump mentioned that the suspect is currently in critical condition at a hospital. When questioned about the possibility of deporting the suspect's wife and five children, who reside in Washington state, Trump stated that all circumstances involving the family are being considered.
A US congressional report indicates that the entry program, which has facilitated the arrival of over 70,000 Afghans to the US, was designed with vetting procedures, including checks by US counterterrorism and intelligence agencies. However, critics argue that the large influx of Afghans and the hurried nature of the migration have resulted in insufficient background checks.