9:42 PM EST
Suspect is Afghan man who served alongside U.S. Special Forces, relative says
Rich Schapiro and Courtney Kube
"A close relative said the suspect served alongside U.S. Special Forces troops in Afghanistan before he came to the United States.
"The relative said Rahmanullah Lakanwal arrived in the United States in September 2021 after having served in the Afghan army for 10 years, alongside U.S. Special Forces. He was stationed at a base in Kandahar for part of that time, the relative said.
"He came to the United States after the Taliban took over and eventually settled in Washington state, the relative said.
"The close relative served with Lakanwal, supporting U.S. troops, and was injured during his time in uniform.
“We were the ones that were targeted by the Taliban in Afghanistan,” the relative said. “I cannot believe it that he might do this.”
"Lakanwal grew up in Khost province, the relative said.
"The relative said they have not spoken with Lakanwal in several months. The relative said he has a wife and five boys.
“I don’t know what happened,” the relative said with a shaky voice.
“I need your help to know why this happened,” he said, breaking down in tears."
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/live-updates-shooting-washington-dc-white-house-rcna246122
… "The suspect has been identified as an Afghan national who used a handgun, according to two senior U.S. law enforcement officials.
"Shawn VanDiver, president of the San Diego-based group AfghanEvac, said in a statement that Afghan immigrants and wartime allies who resettle in the United States undergo extensive security vetting and that “this individual’s isolated and violent act should not be used as an excuse to define or diminish an entire community.”
"Late Wednesday, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said processing of immigration requests related to Afghan nationals “is stopped indefinitely pending further review of security and vetting protocols.”
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/suspect-national-guard-shooting-served-us-troops-afghanistan-relative-rcna246170