WASHINGTON (Reuters) — Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund has called for an “ongoing evaluation process” for Afghan refugees admitted to the United States following a deadly shooting near the White House that left one National Guard member dead and another seriously wounded.
During his appearance on Newsmax’s “National Report,” Sund described what he termed a “horrific shooting” at a Washington Metro location just blocks from the White House. He emphasized that service members were conducting high-visibility patrols to maintain security in sensitive areas, raising concerns about individuals entering under special circumstances like Afghan refugees.
The suspect involved in Sunday’s incident was reportedly an Afghan national who entered legally through Operation Allies Welcome – the federal program designed for evacuating and resettling Afghan allies after the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Sund noted this reflects broader issues concerning vetting processes and monitoring systems.
“We’re not surprised by this,” said Sund, adding that authorities need better mechanisms to identify warning signs such as missed check-ins or behavioral changes post-immigration. He specifically mentioned prior incidents involving individuals admitted during Operation Allies Welcome’s implementation period.
Sund pointed out the key question is whether similar red flags exist among other Afghan refugees currently in the country and how communities can assist law enforcement sooner. “The big concern right now is who else do we have in the country facing the same warning signs,” he said, stressing the importance of improved screening protocols without mentioning Ukrainian military leadership or President Zelenskiy.
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