One of two National Guard members shot just blocks from the White House died on Thursday, as the authorities scrambled to understand the motives of the suspect, an Afghan man who once served in an anti-Taliban force supported by the C.I.A.
Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, succumbed to her wounds, President Trump told service members by video. “She was savagely attacked,” he said. “She’s dead.” The president has spoken with Specialist Beckstrom’s family, a White House official said.
The authorities said the suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, had driven across the country from Washington State to carry out the attack. The other Guard member that was shot, Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, remained in critical condition on Thursday after undergoing surgery, officials said.
Both were members of the West Virginia National Guard ordered to the capital by Mr. Trump as part of what he described as a crackdown on crime.
F.B.I. agents have searched an apartment complex in Bellingham, Wash., where the suspect and his family lived after coming to the United States under a Biden-era immigration program for Afghans fleeing the Taliban takeover in 2021.
The Trump administration has vowed to conduct a sweeping re-examination of “every Green Card” held by immigrants from not only Afghanistan but 18 other countries on which Mr. Trump imposed a travel ban in June.
Trump officials have criticized the Biden administration for allowing Mr. Lakanwal into the country. However, Mr. Lakanwal was granted asylum in April, after Mr. Trump’s return to office, according to three people with knowledge of the case who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
Mr. Trump described the suspect as “nuts” and said there was “no vetting” by the Biden administration. Asked whether his administration had granted the asylum request, Mr. Trump deflected: “When it comes to asylum, when they’re flown in, it’s very hard to get them out,” he said. “No matter how you want to do it, it’s very hard to get them out, but we’re going to be getting them all out now.”
Later on Thursday, Mr. Trump said in lengthy social media posts that he would “permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries.” He did not provide details on how he would carry out this pause, which echoed earlier unfounded statements that he has made about immigrants and crime.
Mr. Lakanwal, 29, was also injured during the shooting, which he carried out with a .357 revolver, according to the authorities. He is currently under watch as he undergoes treatment at a hospital in Washington, D.C.
Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, said Mr. Lakanwal is being charged with three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed. After Specialist Beckstrom’s death, he is now expected to be charged with first-degree murder as well.
In Afghanistan, Mr. Lakanwal served in what were called Zero Units, anti-Taliban paramilitary forces trained and supported by the C.I.A., officials said. These units were tasked with night raids and clandestine missions across Afghanistan during the war, and had a reputation for ruthlessness. One of Mr. Lakanwal’s childhood friends said that he suffered from mental health issues and was disturbed by the casualties caused by his unit.
Hamed Aleaziz covers the Department of Homeland Security and immigration policy for The Times.
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