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 rising monetary stress and a possible psychological well being disaster has emerged, sources acquainted informed ABC Information.
Moreover, a number of sources mentioned that investigators are trying into the impression of the latest loss of life of an Afghan commander, who allegedly labored with the suspect, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal.
The loss of life of the commander — whom Lakanwal is alleged to have revered — had deeply saddened the suspect, sources mentioned.
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 hire and feed his youngsters, sources mentioned.
Officers mentioned 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 mentioned.
A senior regulation enforcement supply informed ABC Information on Sunday that investigators are all the pieces and are carefully analyzing the function of an apparently deteriorating state of affairs at house.
Brigadier Basic Leland D. Blanchard II appears to be like in direction of footage 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 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 fees have been filed.
The investigation into the lethal capturing continues to be in its early phases.
Two members of the Nationwide Guard had 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 known as the capturing “an act of evil, an act of hatred and an act of terror,” including, “It was against the law towards our total nation.”
Trump, citing info from the Division of Homeland Safety, mentioned 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 associate 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 carefully with the CIA and the Joint Particular Operations Command, in response to sources conversant in the investigation. The suspect was a trusted member of that group, 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 cellular units, his social media footprint and properties tied to him.
Lakanwal stays hospitalized below heavy guard, sources informed ABC Information on Sunday.
