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crime1d ago
National Guard shooting suspect served in CIA counterterrorism unit, group says
- The National Guard shooting suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, previously served in Afghanistan’s elite counterterrorism unit.
- AfghanEvac says the unit, NDS-03, operated at the direction of the CIA and fought the Taliban for the U.S.
- Lakanwal was evacuated in August 2021 after Kabul fell and came to the United States under humanitarian parole.
- The FBI and CIA are examining Lakanwal’s background and associations as part of the investigation.
- Lakanwal was granted asylum in April 2025 after applying under humanitarian and asylum processes.
- CIA Director John Ratcliffe indicated the shooter was admitted into the U.S. due to prior work with the U.S. Government, including CIA.
- AfghanEvac founder said it is premature to determine if there was a vetting failure and stressed not to judge the Afghan community broadly.
- Lakanwal had an active special immigrant visa application and an asylum process underway at the time of the incident.
- Patel said the investigation will review any known overseas or U.S. associates tied to Lakanwal.
- The investigation centers on Lakanwal’s ties to U.S. and Afghan forces during his time in Afghanistan.
- The suspect arrived in the United States in 2021 and was evacuated amid Afghanistan’s collapse.
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