DC Shooting Suspect Once Worked With CIA-Backed Afghan Unit; Two National Guard Members in Critical Condition

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Authorities are releasing new details about a shocking shooting that unfolded just blocks from the White House, leaving two West Virginia National Guard members critically injured and raising urgent questions about the suspect’s background and motive.

The Justice Department has identified the victims as 20-year-old Sarah Backstrom and 24-year-old Andrew Wolf, both of whom underwent emergency surgery and remain in critical condition at a local hospital.

According to investigators, the attack occurred at a bus shelter near the White House, where both soldiers attempted to take cover. The scene, now marked by shattered plexiglass, bullet-riddled planters, and a growing memorial of flowers and flags, illustrates the violence of the ambush.

DC Attorney General Jeanine Pirro provided a detailed account of the incident, calling it an “ambush-style attack.” Authorities say the suspect, armed with a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver, fired without provocation. One Guardsman was struck, fell to the ground, and was then shot again at close range. The second victim was hit multiple times.

Who Is the Suspect?

Investigators have identified the shooter as a 29-year-old Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021 as part of the U.S. evacuation program following the military withdrawal from Afghanistan.

CNN’s national security reporting reveals the suspect previously served in an elite Afghan counterterrorism unit that worked directly with the U.S. military and CIA, participating in active operations against Taliban forces. Thousands of Afghans who assisted U.S. forces were relocated after the Taliban regained control, and the suspect was among them.

Officials emphasize that he underwent multiple layers of background checks and biometric screening before entering the country and again during his asylum process. Notably, his asylum approval was granted in 2025 under the Trump administration, countering claims that he was admitted under lax policies.

Concerns About Vetting and National Security

In response to the shooting, the White House announced a pause on Afghan immigration cases pending a comprehensive review of the vetting process.

Experts warn that such a review could involve tens of thousands of individuals. Former DC Homeland Security official Donnell Harvin noted that Afghan evacuees have historically committed crimes at extremely low rates and that many risked their lives to support U.S. operations.

However, he also emphasized that even robust vetting cannot predict future behavior. Once in the U.S., Afghan evacuees are monitored like any other asylum seekers—no continuous surveillance, only routine interviews.

Investigators Seek Motive

Although some administration officials have labeled the attack as terrorism, investigators must still determine motive through evidence such as communications, online activity, and behavioral “leakage.”

Harvin notes that individuals who carry out targeted attacks often leave behind ideological clues or warnings: “People don’t simply wake up one day, drive across the country, and open fire on uniformed service members.”

The suspect is reportedly refusing to cooperate with investigators, increasing the urgency of digital forensics and background analysis.

The Community Responds

At the shooting site, the public continues to gather, leaving flowers and flags for Backstrom and Wolf. Both had been sworn in the previous day—not as new Guard members, but as deputies for the U.S. Marshals Service, a role requiring regular re-swearing ceremonies.

Officials say they hope for positive updates on their conditions in the coming days.