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National Guard Shoots Suspect During D.C. Fight, Police Say

By Drooid · Oct 19, 2026, 2:47 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

National Guard Shoots

U.S. National Guard members shot a suspect during a fight in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 18.
A guard member was wounded in the leg during the exchange.
The suspect sustained an abdominal gunshot wound and was taken into custody.
Both the suspect and the guard member received non-life-threatening treatment at D.C. hospitals.
Police continue investigating the motive and are seeking witnesses.

Summary

Trump Deploys Guard

President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to Washington in August 2025 as a crime-fighting mission.
City officials and activists claim the Guard wastes taxpayer money and militarizes the capital.
The Guard shot Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, identified as the suspect.
Trump awarded Purple Hearts to Guard victims during his February State of the Union address.
After the ambush, Trump added 500 Guard members to Washington and tightened immigration enforcement.

History

Historical Context

On May 4, 1970, the Ohio National Guard opened fire on unarmed Kent State University protesters, killing four and wounding nine. The shooting occurred amid nationwide anti-Vietnam and anti-Cambodian-incursion protests; over 4 million students walked out of more than 450 campuses, prompting President Richard Nixon to create the Scranton Commission to investigate campus unrest.

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National Guard Shoots

U.S. National Guard members shot a suspect during a fight in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 18.
A guard member was wounded in the leg during the exchange.
The suspect sustained an abdominal gunshot wound and was taken into custody.
Both the suspect and the guard member received non-life-threatening treatment at D.C. hospitals.
Police continue investigating the motive and are seeking witnesses.

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