U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro Condemns D.C. Shooting Targeting National Guard Members as a âDirect Challenge to Law and Orderâ
Shooting Near Metro Station Shocks Nationâs Capital
WASHINGTON, D.C. â U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro addressed the public late Wednesday following a violent attack involving National Guard members near a downtown Washington metro station. The shooting, described by officials as a âcalculated and deliberateâ act, left two soldiers critically injured and renewed urgent discussions about urban security and federal oversight.
Authorities identified the shooter as Rahmanuallah Lakanwal, a 31-year-old Afghan national who reportedly drove across the country from Washington state before opening fire with a .357 revolver on two members of the West Virginia National Guard stationed in the city. The victims, 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, were rushed to George Washington University Hospital, where they remain in critical condition.
Pirro condemned the attack in forceful terms during a press briefing outside the U.S. District Court, calling it âa direct challenge to law and order in the nationâs capital.â She underscored the importance of accountability, particularly in the failures that allowed an improperly vetted individual to travel freely and carry out a planned assault on uniformed service members.
A Cross-Country Journey and a Calculated Act
Law enforcement sources revealed that Lakanwalâs cross-country trip began nearly a week before the attack, with investigators now piecing together a timeline using surveillance footage and digital tracking data. While authorities have not yet established a clear motive, initial findings suggest premeditation rather than a random act of violence.
Federal investigators, including agents from the FBIâs Washington Field Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), have joined local police in the probe. A federal warrant was issued early Thursday morning, authorizing a full search of the suspectâs last known residence in Spokane, Washington.
Witnesses described moments of panic as shots rang out near the metro entrance during the early evening rush hour. âIt was chaosâeveryone scattered when they heard the gunfire,â said commuter Elise Morales, who was standing on the platform when the first shot was fired. âThen I saw Guard members rush toward the sound instead of away from it.â
Other National Guard personnel subdued the suspect within minutes, avoiding additional casualties. Lakanwal was detained on the scene with multiple rounds remaining in his weapon.
Jeanine Pirroâs Call for Accountability
In her remarks, Pirro reiterated the Justice Departmentâs commitment to investigating the incident thoroughly. She also addressed broader questions concerning how Lakanwal entered and remained in the country, as well as the vetting process for individuals who may pose security risks.
Pirro stated, âWhat happened today is not just a tragedy; it is a failure of our institutions to protect those who protect us. Every person entrusted with security clearance, from immigration oversight to local coordination, will be subject to review.â
Her statement reflects growing public and political anxiety over recent lapses in coordination between federal agencies on security vetting, especially in major metropolitan areas like Washington. The attack has reignited debates over intelligence-sharing, immigration controls, and law enforcement communication protocols.
Heightened National Guard Presence in Washington
In response to the attack, city officials confirmed that the National Guard presence has been expanded dramatically. Nearly 2,200 troops are now assigned to the joint security task force patrolling critical infrastructure, transportation hubs, and high-profile government buildings.
Military spokespeople described the move as a precautionary step aimed at âreassuring the public and maintaining operational readiness.â The Guardâs presence in Washington has fluctuated in recent years, typically tied to large-scale events such as presidential inaugurations or public demonstrations. This latest deployment, however, underscores growing concern about targeted attacks on service members in non-combat zones.
âThe safety of our troops and the public is paramount,â said Major General Brian Rowe of the West Virginia National Guard. âWe are working closely with federal and local authorities to ensure that our personnel have the support and protection they need while serving in the capital.â
A Pattern of Urban Security Challenges
The attack comes amid a broader national conversation about rising urban violence and the challenge of screening individuals who may harbor extremist ideologies. Over the past decade, the Washington metropolitan area has faced several high-profile incidents, from the 2013 Navy Yard shooting to the 2021 Capitol riot, cementing its position as both a symbolic and logistical target for acts of violence.
Security analysts point to several common threads: easy access to firearms, gaps in information-sharing between states, and the complex intersection of mental health, ideology, and personal grievance. âThese events remind us that domestic security is as much about prevention as it is about response,â said Dr. Marlon Hill, a criminologist with the National Security Policy Institute. âThe D.C. Guard shooting illustrates how quickly a single individual can exploit those gaps.â
City leaders are now reevaluating security measures across metro stations and other public transit spaces, emphasizing improved surveillance coverage, inter-agency coordination, and updated active-shooter response training.
Historical Context: Attacks on U.S. Service Members at Home
While rare, attacks targeting U.S. service members on domestic soil have left deep scars in recent memory. In 2009, a gunman opened fire at a military recruiting station in Little Rock, Arkansas, killing one soldier and wounding another. More recently, incidents in Chattanooga, Tennessee (2015), and Pensacola, Florida (2019), both prompted sweeping reforms in how the Department of Defense monitors potential threats to personnel within the United States.
Experts note that such attacks often blur the line between terrorism and criminal violence, especially when motives involve both personal and ideological dimensions. The D.C. shooting, though still under investigation, fits within this uneasy pattern, combining individual grievance with symbolic targeting of the military.
Jeanine Pirroâs framing of the assault as a challenge to âlaw and orderâ echoes past responses to domestic attacks against uniformed personnel, underscoring the federal governmentâs determination to treat the case as a matter of national security rather than isolated street crime.
Economic and Social Repercussions
The attack also carries economic implications for Washingtonâs commercial core. Metro ridership dropped noticeably on Thursday morning, with many commuters avoiding the area of the shooting. Local businesses, particularly restaurants and retail shops surrounding the station, reported steep declines in customer flow.
City economists warn that even temporary dips in foot traffic can ripple through small businesses already struggling to rebound from pandemic-era slowdowns. The Washington Chamber of Commerce has called for expanded federal assistance to cover lost revenue and reinforce confidence in the cityâs safety measures.
Tourism officials expressed concern that events like this one could deter travelers and international delegations from visiting. To mitigate public anxiety, the cityâs Department of Transportation announced new safety briefings and increased patrols at all metro stations.
Comparisons with Other Citiesâ Security Approaches
Other major cities have faced similar challenges in balancing security with public accessibility. New York City, for example, expanded its âOperation Sentinelâ initiative after a 2017 terrorist attack that targeted pedestrians in Lower Manhattan. Los Angeles implemented joint intelligence fusion centers to ensure faster response times to potential threats involving transportation or high-density public spaces.
Analysts say Washingtonâs current responseâan expanded Guard deployment combined with federal oversightâmarks an assertive but temporary measure. Long-term stability, they argue, depends on modernizing surveillance, improving inter-agency data integration, and addressing the social conditions that can lead to acts of violence.
âThe D.C. response is robust, but sustainability is key,â said security consultant Dana Reaves. âCities like New York and Boston show that coordination and communicationânot just boots on the groundâare what prevent future attacks.â
National Debate Over Vetting and Immigration Oversight
The revelation that the suspect is an Afghan national whose vetting process remains under scrutiny has fueled renewed debate about federal immigration procedures. Sources within the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Lakanwal entered the U.S. in 2022 under a humanitarian program designed for Afghan citizens with assistance records from U.S. forces during the withdrawal period.
Questions now surround how his background checks were handled and whether red flags were missed. Jeanine Pirro emphasized that the Justice Department would coordinate with immigration and homeland security officials to identify potential oversight failures without scapegoating lawful refugees or community members.
Policy analysts note that while the vast majority of humanitarian visa recipients integrate successfully, lapses in documentation or inter-agency communication can occasionally allow individuals with questionable histories to slip through. The D.C. shooting, they say, could prompt Congress to revisit bipartisan proposals for overhauling federal background screening systems.
Moving Toward Recovery and Reassurance
As the investigation continues, public attention remains focused on the condition of the two wounded National Guard members. Both victims underwent surgery overnight and remain under intensive care. City officials have announced plans for a candlelight vigil outside the metro station on Friday evening, inviting residents to honor the victims and support their families.
In her concluding statement, Jeanine Pirro reaffirmed the Justice Departmentâs resolve, declaring, âWe will not allow fear to dictate how we live, work, or serve in our nationâs capital. Justice will be done.â
For Washington, a city accustomed to being the seat of power and protest alike, the attack serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability that persists even in the most guarded institutions. Federal investigations continue, but the echoes of Pirroâs warningâdemanding accountability, vigilance, and unityâare likely to define the conversation long after the immediate crisis subsides.