As investigators proceed to delve into what might have motivated the suspect within the lethal Nationwide Guardsmen capturing final week, a portrait of a lifetime of growing monetary stress and a possible psychological well being disaster has emerged, sources acquainted instructed ABC Information.
Moreover, a number of sources stated that investigators are wanting into the affect of the current dying of an Afghan commander, who allegedly labored with the suspect, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal.
The dying of the commander — whom Lakanwal is alleged to have revered — had deeply saddened the suspect, sources stated.
This will likely have compounded on Lakanwal’s monetary burdens, together with not being employed, having an expired work allow and allegedly struggling to pay lease and feed his youngsters, sources stated.
Officers stated the suspect has a spouse and 5 youngsters. He drove from his residence in Washington state to the nation’s capital previous to the capturing and focused the Guardsmen, officers stated.
A senior regulation enforcement supply instructed ABC Information on Sunday that investigators are taking a look at the whole lot and are carefully inspecting the function of an apparently deteriorating state of affairs at house.
Brigadier Normal Leland D. Blanchard II appears in the direction of photos of two Nationwide Guard members who had been shot together with an image of a suspect, Afghan nationwide Rahmanullah Lakanwal, at a press convention with FBI Director Kash Patel, legal professional Jeanine Pirro and different authorities in Washington, D.C., Nov. 27, 2025.
Nathan Howard/Reuters
The FBI, Homeland Safety and intelligence officers are additionally investigating the likelihood that the assault was directed by or impressed by worldwide terrorists. However to this point, authorities haven’t publicly launched any particular proof tying Lakanwal to a terrorist group and no terror expenses have been filed.
The investigation into the lethal capturing remains to be in its early phases.
Two members of the Nationwide Guard had been shot and significantly wounded simply blocks from the White Home in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 26, with one guard dying on account of her sustained accidents the following day.
President Donald Trump referred to as the capturing “an act of evil, an act of hatred and an act of terror,” including, “It was a criminal offense towards our complete nation.”
Trump, citing info from the Division of Homeland Safety, stated the suspect entered the U.S. from Afghanistan in September 2021, and criticized the prior administration of President Joe Biden.
The suspect beforehand labored with the U.S. authorities, together with the CIA, as a member of a companion drive in Kandahar, “which led to 2021 following the withdrawal from Afghanistan,” based on CIA Director John Ratcliffe.
He utilized for asylum in 2024 and was granted asylum in April, underneath the Trump administration, based on the sources.
In Afghanistan, the suspect was concerned with the Zero Unit, working carefully with the CIA and the Joint Particular Operations Command, based on sources acquainted with the investigation. The suspect was a trusted member of that group, which went after U.S. counterterrorism targets, based on sources.
The FBI over the weekend continued to interview household and associates of the suspect and tried to use paperwork and different materials obtained by searches of cell gadgets, his social media footprint and properties tied to him.
Lakanwal stays hospitalized underneath heavy guard, sources instructed ABC Information on Sunday.
