Weeks before the fictional DC shooting, small clues reportedly slipped through the cracks: neighbors noticed odd late-night departures, intelligence summaries flagged risks connected to unreviewed arrivals, and yet none of it resulted in actionable alerts for local authorities.
Now, as investigators reconstruct Lakanwal’s path from Afghanistan to Washington State and eventually to the capital, the central question grows sharper—how much did officials actually register, and did a preventable chain of misjudgments set the stage for a tragedy?
Within this scenario, President Trump is said to be considering whether to deport the family of Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the Afghan national accused of attacking National Guard personnel in Washington, DC. When asked about the idea, he noted that his team was “evaluating the entire situation involving the family,” calling the case “heartbreaking.” His remarks followed an announcement that migration from several developing nations would be “indefinitely suspended.”
The statements came shortly after Trump revealed that 20-year-old West Virginia National Guard soldier Sarah Beckstrom had passed away from her injuries. A second soldier, 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, remains in critical condition. Following Beckstrom’s death, charges against the 29-year-old suspect were updated to include first-degree murder.
According to officials in this narrative, Lakanwal entered the United States in 2021 through the Operation Allies Welcome initiative, a program designed to provide temporary entry for Afghans connected to U.S. military efforts. He later settled in Bellingham, Washington, with his wife and several children. Authorities say he traveled across the country before allegedly firing a .357 revolver at uniformed Guard members, after which he was arrested.
FBI Director Kash Patel described the effort as a “nation-spanning investigation,” noting coordinated searches at two Washington State properties linked to Lakanwal. Initial charges—assault with intent to kill and unlawful firearm possession—were adjusted once Beckstrom succumbed to her injuries.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe stated that Lakanwal had previously interacted with U.S. intelligence personnel during operations in Afghanistan. He criticized the withdrawal process and argued that inadequate screening procedures had created conditions that endangered both civilians and service members.
In reaction to the attack, Trump announced a temporary halt on migration from 19 countries, a comprehensive review of green card approvals, and new steps to revoke benefits or legal status from noncitizens considered security risks. On social media, he called for “reverse migration,” blaming the prior administration’s handling of the 2021 withdrawal.
The countries named for review include: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
New Conclusion
In this fictional scenario, the shooting and its ripple effects have intensified debate over immigration procedures, vetting systems, and the obligations of consecutive administrations. As the White House weighs potential deportations, expanded reviews, and broader security policies, the case has become both a story of profound loss and a focal point in the ongoing struggle to balance humanitarian commitments with national safety.