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Charges filed in fatal shooting of National Guard soldier
Federal prosecutors have formally accused Rahmanullah Lakanwal of first-degree murder and assault with intent to kill after he allegedly shot two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., last Wednesday. One soldier died from her injuries, while the other remains in critical condition.
Shooting details emerge in criminal complaint
According to court documents, the attack occurred near an underground train station around 2:15 p.m. as soldiers Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24, patrolled in uniform. Witnesses reported hearing Lakanwal shout "Allahu Akbar" before opening fire.
A National Guard supervisor returned fire, wounding the suspect as he attempted to reload. Secret Service agents later assisted in subduing Lakanwal, who was taken into custody with gunshot injuries.
Victims identified, one remains hospitalized
Beckstrom, from West Virginia, succumbed to a gunshot wound to the head the following day. An autopsy confirmed her death as a homicide. Wolfe, also from West Virginia, remains hospitalized in critical condition but has shown signs of improvement, responding to medical staff, Governor Patrick Morrisey said Monday.
"His condition is positive, and we continue to pray for Andrew as he fights to survive," Morrisey stated.
Suspect's background and legal proceedings
Lakanwal, 32, arrived in the U.S. from Afghanistan in 2021 after working with the CIA. His asylum application was approved earlier this year, and he resided in Bellingham, Washington, with his wife and five children.
During a virtual court appearance from his hospital bed, Lakanwal pleaded not guilty. A judge described the evidence against him as "exceedingly strong" and denied bail. Court documents include security footage stills depicting the confrontation.
Mental health concerns and policy response
Emails from a social worker last year indicated Lakanwal had become increasingly isolated, spending weeks confined to a room. The messages suggested possible mental health struggles, though no formal diagnosis was mentioned in the complaint.
In response to the shooting, the Trump administration suspended asylum decisions and ordered a review of Afghan refugees already resettled in the U.S., citing security concerns.
