Suspect in D.C. National Guard Shooting Was Radicalized in U.S., Officials State

The Afghan national accused of killing one D.C. National Guard member and injuring another was radicalized after entering the United States, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The statement came in the wake of a deadly shooting that occurred on Friday near an asylum processing facility in Southeast Washington, D.C., where the guardsmen were deployed.

Speaking on Sunday news programs, Secretary Noem confirmed that the suspect had entered the U.S. in August 2022 as an asylum seeker. She stated that initial security screenings at the time of his entry did not flag him for any connections to extremist groups. "It appears he was radicalized after he came to the United States," Noem said on ABC's "This Week," a sentiment she repeated in other interviews. This development shifts the focus of the investigation toward domestic radicalization influences.

The attack is being investigated as a potential act of terrorism. Federal authorities, including the FBI, are working to determine the suspect's motives and how he acquired the firearm used in the shooting. According to Noem, the incident underscores the threat of homegrown violent extremism, a key concern for the Department of Homeland Security.

The case has intensified the ongoing debate over U.S. immigration and vetting procedures for asylum seekers, particularly those from countries with a significant terrorist presence. The administration is now facing renewed pressure to review and potentially overhaul the screening protocols for individuals entering the country. Details about the suspect in the deadly D.C. attack remain central to the active investigation, as officials try to piece together his activities since his arrival in the U.S.

The fallen guardsman was a three-year veteran of the D.C. National Guard, and his death has been mourned by officials in Washington. The injured soldier reportedly underwent surgery and is recovering. The investigation continues as authorities seek to understand the full scope of the radicalization process and any potential network involved.