CaliToday (28/11/2025): The Americans who opened their hearts and homes to save Afghan allies from the Taliban are grappling with a profound sense of betrayal following the revelation that the suspect in the White House shooting was a refugee rescued from the "hell of war" by those very efforts.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, accused of ambushing two National Guard members just blocks from the Executive Mansion, has drawn the ire of the veteran and volunteer community that worked tirelessly to bring him to safety.
"He Betrayed Everyone"
Shawn VanDiver, a Navy veteran and president of #AfghanEvac a coalition dedicated to resettling Afghan allies gave a blistering assessment of the situation to the New York Post.
"It feels like a stab in the back to the people who saved his life," VanDiver stated. "He betrayed everyone: his family, the Americans who brought him here, and the U.S. government. He deserves to be punished to the fullest extent of the law."
VanDiver recounted how, following the chaotic fall of Kabul in August 2021, thousands of everyday Americans stepped up. They provided transportation, navigated complex paperwork, helped find jobs, and even offered up their spare bedrooms to strangers.
Now, that massive humanitarian effort is being overshadowed by the violent actions of a single individual.
Fear of Collective Punishment
The fallout from the attack has been swift and severe. VanDiver notes that both the Afghan community and the American volunteers who supported them are facing a wave of vitriol on social media.
He expressed deep concern that political figures are exploiting the tragedy to demonize the entire population of Afghan allies—people who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with U.S. troops for two decades.
"One crazy person does not represent a community," VanDiver argued. "If he had been born in Missouri, nobody would be trying to punish the entire state."
A Community in Fear
According to volunteer networks, innocent Afghan families across the U.S. are terrified. They fear being labeled "dangerous" due to the actions of a "traitor" to their cause. Simultaneously, the Americans who helped them are being attacked online, despite simply upholding the nation’s moral obligation to its wartime allies.
The Pursuit of Justice
While the debate rages, the human cost of the attack continues to mount.
Pvt. Sarah Beckstrom, a young volunteer for the holiday shift, has succumbed to her fatal injuries.
Sgt. Andrew Wolfe remains in a fight for his life.
The Justice Department, under the direction of Pam Bondi, has announced it will pursue the death penalty for Lakanwal, who allegedly drove cross-country from Washington State specifically to carry out the ambush.
Standing Together in Grief
Despite the shockwaves, VanDiver insists that the bond between American volunteers and the Afghan community remains broken but unbowed.
"They are just as angry as we are," VanDiver said of the Afghan refugees. "And they are scared—because they are being blamed for something they didn't do."
He concluded with a firm reminder: "Only one criminal is responsible for his actions not the Afghan families, not the volunteers, and not the community."
CaliToday.Net
Summary of Reactions
| Group | Reaction |
| #AfghanEvac (Shawn VanDiver) | Feels "stabbed in the back." Demands full prosecution. |
| Afghan Community | Fearful of retaliation; angry at the suspect for ruining their reputation. |
| Critics/Public | Outrage on social media; questioning the vetting process. |
| Justice Dept. | Seeking the death penalty for Lakanwal. |