As investigators proceed to delve into what could have motivated the suspect within the lethal Nationwide Guardsmen capturing final week, a portrait of a lifetime of rising 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 may increasingly 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 every part and are intently analyzing the function of an apparently deteriorating state of affairs at residence.
Brigadier Basic Leland D. Blanchard II seems to be in direction of photos of two Nationwide Guard members who have been shot together with an image of a suspect, Afghan nationwide Rahmanullah Lakanwal, at a press convention with FBI Director Kash Patel, lawyer 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 chance that the assault was directed by or impressed by worldwide terrorists. However to date, 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 have been shot and critically wounded simply blocks from the White Home in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 26, with one guard dying because 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 whole 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 accomplice drive in Kandahar, “which resulted in 2021 following the withdrawal from Afghanistan,” in response to CIA Director John Ratcliffe.
He utilized for asylum in 2024 and was granted asylum in April, below the Trump administration, in response to the sources.
In Afghanistan, the suspect was concerned with the Zero Unit, working intently with the CIA and the Joint Particular Operations Command, in response to sources aware of the investigation. The suspect was a trusted member of that workforce, which went after U.S. counterterrorism targets, in response to 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 below heavy guard, sources instructed ABC Information on Sunday.
