As investigators proceed to delve into what might have motivated the suspect within the lethal Nationwide Guardsmen taking pictures final week, a portrait of a lifetime of growing monetary stress and a possible psychological well being disaster has emerged, sources acquainted advised ABC Information.
Moreover, a number of sources stated that investigators are wanting into the influence 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 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 kids, sources stated.
Officers stated the suspect has a spouse and 5 kids. He drove from his residence in Washington state to the nation’s capital previous to the taking pictures and focused the Guardsmen, officers stated.
A senior regulation enforcement supply advised ABC Information on Sunday that investigators are every part and are intently inspecting the function of an apparently deteriorating state of affairs at residence.
Brigadier Common Leland D. Blanchard II seems in 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, 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 likelihood that the assault was directed by or impressed by worldwide terrorists. However so far, 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 taking pictures 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 because of her sustained accidents the following day.
President Donald Trump referred to as the taking pictures “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 data 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 pressure in Kandahar, “which resulted in 2021 following the withdrawal from Afghanistan,” in keeping with CIA Director John Ratcliffe.
He utilized for asylum in 2024 and was granted asylum in April, below the Trump administration, in keeping with the sources.
In Afghanistan, the suspect was concerned with the Zero Unit, working intently with the CIA and the Joint Particular Operations Command, in keeping with sources conversant in the investigation. The suspect was a trusted member of that group, which went after U.S. counterterrorism targets, in keeping with 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 means of searches of cellular gadgets, his social media footprint and properties tied to him.
Lakanwal stays hospitalized below heavy guard, sources advised ABC Information on Sunday.
