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Indian American leaders decry DC shooting of National Guardsmen
Two members of the West Virginia National Guard were critically wounded on Nov. 26 in a targeted shooting near the Farragut West Metro station
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Malvika Choudhary - Thu, 27, Nov 2025
- 16:27 EST
- 11
(Top L-R) Suhas Subramanyam, Ami Bera, Ghazala Hashmi (Bottom L-R) Raja Krishnamoorthi, Vivek Ramaswamy / File Photo
Indian American elected officials and lawmakers condemned the shooting of two National Guard members near the White House, calling it a grave reminder of the dangers faced by uniformed personnel.
Rep. Ami Bera (CA-06) said the incident underscores “the sacrifices made every day by those who serve in uniform.” He said the violence was “unacceptable and has no place in our nation.”
Also Read: What we know about Afghan national suspected of shooting two Guardsmen near White House
Janine and I are keeping the two National Guard members shot near the White House in our thoughts and prayers.
— Ami Bera, M.D. (@RepBera) November 26, 2025
As we await more information, we’re reminded of the sacrifices made every day by those who serve in uniform.
This violence is unacceptable and has no place in our…
Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) said he was praying for the guardsmen’s recovery and was “holding their families and fellow service members in my thoughts as we wait for more information.”
Two National Guard members were shot near the White House this morning. I’m praying for their recovery and holding their families and fellow service members in my thoughts as we wait for more information. https://t.co/rUNt2adIzy
— Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (@CongressmanRaja) November 26, 2025
Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) also expressed concern, saying, “My thoughts are with the 2 National Guardsmen who were shot in DC this afternoon, and I hope they pull through. Violence is never the answer.”
My thoughts are with the 2 National Guardsmen who were shot in DC this afternoon, and I hope they pull through. Violence is never the answer.
— Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) (@RepSuhas) November 26, 2025
Gubernatorial candidate and Republican leader Vivek Ramaswamy called the shooting “heartbreaking,” describing the Guardsmen as “patriots” and saying the “culture of violence is sickening and needs to end.”
This is heartbreaking. Our National Guardsmen are patriots. The culture of violence is sickening and needs to end. https://t.co/gsW2w0k0Ji
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) November 26, 2025
Virginia Lieutenant Governor–elect Ghazala Hashmi said the “loss of life of our national guard members is simply heartbreaking,” adding that she was holding their loved ones in her thoughts “during this time of immense sorrow.”
Today’s loss of life of our national guard members is simply heartbreaking. I hold their loved ones in my thoughts and pray for them during this time of immense sorrow.
— Senator Hashmi (@SenatorHashmi) November 27, 2025
According to federal and local authorities, two members of the West Virginia National Guard were critically wounded on Nov. 26 in a targeted shooting near the Farragut West Metro station, roughly two blocks from the White House.
The soldiers — Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24 — had been deputized just a day earlier for presence patrols under an ongoing capital-security mission.
The suspected gunman, identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the U.S. under the Operation Allies Welcome programme in 2021, was shot and detained by other National Guard personnel at the scene.
Investigators have opened a terrorism probe and have searched properties linked to him in Washington state and San Diego while examining digital devices and interviewing relatives.
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