Crime
National Guard Shooting Suspect Rahmanullah Lakanwal Applied for Asylum in 2024, Approved Earlier This Year
Federal officials have confirmed the identity of the suspect involved in the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, age 29.
According to four senior U.S. law enforcement officials briefed on the case, Lakanwal is an Afghan national who entered the United States on September 8, 2021, as part of the Operation Allies Welcome program following the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan.
Records show that Lakanwal applied for asylum in 2024, and his request was approved earlier this year.
Officials also report that his previous immigration parole authorization expired in September 2025, leaving his legal status under review.
Lakanwal reportedly relocated with his wife, Khamila, and their five children to Bellingham, Washington, after arriving in the United States.
Federal sources further state that he previously served in the Afghan Special Forces and fought alongside U.S. military personnel during the conflict with the Taliban.
The shooting occurred near the Farragut Metro Station, not far from the White House.
Law enforcement officials described the attack as intentional and ambush-style.
Approximately 10 to 15 shots were fired before law enforcement and the suspect exchanged gunfire.
Lakanwal was struck four times and taken into custody after being transported to a local hospital.
Early witness statements and preliminary audio from the scene suggest the suspect may have shouted in a foreign language prior to firing.
Officials emphasize that these reports remain unverified as analysis continues.
Conflicting reports have been released regarding the condition of the two National Guard members.
Early statements suggested both had died, while later updates indicate the service members remain in critical condition.
Some federal investigative sources have described their condition as grave or potentially medically non-recoverable, though no official medical determination has been released.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey expressed condolences, stating:
โDenise and I are devastated by the news that two members of the West Virginia National Guard were shot earlier today in Washington, D.C. Our prayers are with these brave service members, their families, and the entire Guard community.โ
District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb released a statement strongly condemning the attack:
โViolence is never the answer and must be condemned. The National Guard are volunteers who leave their families and daily lives to serve their country. This is a heartbreaking day for Washington, D.C., and for our nation.โ
The FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and Metropolitan Police Department are jointly leading the investigation.
Authorities say the motive remains under review, and the incident is being examined as a possible act of terrorism based on early indicators.
Officials report there is no current evidence of a broader coordinated threat or any connection to federal property or officials.
With ambush-style attacks against military and law enforcement personnel increasing nationally in 2025, this incident has raised renewed security concerns surrounding public deployment of National Guard units.
Authorities are urging the public to submit additional video footage, witness accounts, or relevant information to assist the investigation.
Further verified updates will be released as information is confirmed.
Crime
Jerome DeWayne Hughes, 35, Fatally Shot During Bonfire Gathering in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama
A gathering among friends turned into a devastating tragedy Sunday night when 35-year-old Jerome DeWayne Hughes was fatally shot during a bonfire gathering in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. His death has left family members, friends, and others who were present mourning a sudden and heartbreaking loss.
Authorities have arrested a 23-year-old man in connection with the fatal shooting. The suspect, identified as Derrick Lamont Edwards Jr., is facing a murder charge as investigators continue working to establish what led to the deadly confrontation.
According to the Tuscaloosa County Sheriffโs Office, deputies were dispatched at approximately 10:20 p.m. Sunday to the 4300 block of Culver Road, west of Tuscaloosa, following reports of a shooting.
Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit Captain Jack Kennedy said the shooting occurred during a social gathering around a bonfire. What had begun as an evening spent with friends ended in violence, prompting an emergency response and a homicide investigation.
Hughes had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to DCH Regional Medical Center for emergency treatment, but despite medical efforts, he was pronounced dead.
His death has left loved ones grieving a life lost during what was supposed to be an ordinary gathering among friends.
Following interviews with witnesses and an examination of the crime scene, investigators obtained a murder warrant for 23-year-old Derrick Lamont Edwards Jr.
Authorities reported that Edwards was taken into custody within a few hours of the shooting through coordinated efforts involving the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit and the U.S. Marshals Service.
He has been charged with murder and is being held without bond, according to the information provided.
The charge is an allegation, and the case will proceed through the criminal justice system. Edwards is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Although investigators have made an arrest, important questions about the shooting remain unanswered.
Authorities have not publicly explained what led to the confrontation, whether there was an argument before the gunfire, or what may have motivated the alleged attack.
Detectives continue gathering information and reviewing evidence as they work to establish the full sequence of events.
Anyone with information that could assist investigators is encouraged to contact Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit detectives at 205-464-8690.
At 35 years old, Jerome DeWayne Hughes had a life and future that mattered to the people who knew and loved him. His sudden death has left family members and friends facing the painful reality of losing someone close to them.
The gathering on Culver Road was supposed to be an opportunity for people to spend time together. Instead, it became the setting of a fatal incident that has deeply affected those connected to the tragedy.
For Jeromeโs loved ones, the days ahead will bring grief, difficult questions, and memories of a man whose life ended far too soon.
As the investigation continues, thoughts and condolences remain with the family and friends of Jerome DeWayne Hughes, as well as everyone affected by the shooting.
May Jerome be remembered with love and compassion, and may his family find strength and comfort during this heartbreaking time.