On Wednesday afternoon, a mass shooting in Washington, D.C. Even worse, as a direct result, two national guardsmen have lost their lives. Both servicemen are still in critical condition, as investigators from both state and federal authorities continue to dissect the incident. And with the shooting happening just blocks from the White House, the incident has raised questions about safety in the nation’s capital.
The suspected gunman, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is an Afghan man who had come to the United States in September 2021. At the time of the shooting, he was living in Washington state. Authorities including the U.S. Marshals have identified Lakanwal as the person who shot her. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser called it a “targeted shooting.”
In response to this violent act, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth moved immediately. He opened by announcing that President Trump has just called for a quadrupling of the National Guard members deployed to the region. Today, that same administration is fighting hard against a declared “crime emergency.” National guard troops have been deployed across Washington since August to support federal and local law enforcement. So far, around 2,375 national guard troops are currently activated in the nation’s capital.
Law enforcement officials are urging the national guard to increase their presence. They’re increasing security protections for troops and civilians in the wake of the shooting. The tragic state of the two guardsmen has raised the stakes for increased security measures to the entire city.
This incident is just a reminder of the things that continue to deeply challenge Washington’s security apparatus. National guard troops are actively deployed to help local law enforcement fight skyrocketing crime and improve public safety. These troops are indeed based in D.C. to improve security for all, but not in the way you might think. Residents and visitors can be comforted by their presence.