New details on the suspect who attacked National Guard members in the US

Washington DC District Attorney Jeanine Pirro and FBI Director Kash Patel held a press conference regarding the attack on two National Guard personnel in the US capital, Washington DC, yesterday. Opening her remarks by announcing that the two National Guard members who were attacked are in critical condition, Pirro said, "They have undergone surgery. We are praying for their recovery while they continue to receive the best possible care."

"THEY WERE AMBUSHED"

Naming the soldiers, Pirro stated, "The two National Guard soldiers we are referring to are 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe. They were members of the West Virginia National Guard and were serving in Washington D.C. to keep the city safe, in accordance with President Trump’s order to make the capital safe and beautiful."

Sharing details about the attack, Pirro said, "Near the Farragut West Metro Station, two uniformed National Guard members were ambushed in a brazen and targeted attack. A lone armed assailant opened fire in an ambush-style manner with a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver. One soldier was shot and fell to the ground, and the attacker leaned over and shot the soldier again. The other soldier was also shot several times. Other soldiers present at the scene immediately returned fire, engaged the attacker, and neutralized the threat."

Stating that the attacker was also transported to the hospital and is being held under heavy security, Pirro announced that the attacker has been identified as a 29-year-old Afghan named Ramanullah Lakhanwal. The Washington D.C. District Attorney announced that the attacker will be prosecuted on charges including assault with intent to kill and unlawful possession of a firearm, and that the charges against him may change depending on the health status of the National Guard soldiers.

"HE TRAVELED ACROSS THE COUNTRY"

Stating that the Afghan suspect entered the country under the "Operation Allies Welcome" program during the former President Joe Biden administration following the rapid US withdrawal from Afghanistan, Pirro said, "He was living in Bellingham, Washington state, with his wife and, we estimate, five children. He traveled across the country from Washington state in his vehicle and came here targeting our nation's capital."

FBI Director Patel announced that the agency is investigating the attack as a potential act of international terrorism. Patel said, "Last night, I spoke with CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. There is now confirmation that the suspect had a relationship with partner forces in Afghanistan. We are fully investigating this aspect of his background, and that includes any accomplices located overseas or within the US. These are the hallmarks of a comprehensive international terrorism investigation."

Ratcliffe had announced that the attacker worked as a member of a local force that collaborated with the American military and the CIA before the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

News Source: 12punto