Suspect accused of shooting National Guard troops pleads not guilty
An Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, accused of shooting two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., has pleaded not guilty to charges including assault with intent to kill, murder, and firearm possession during a violent crime.The attack, which occurred near the Farragut West Metro station close to the White House, targeted two West Virginia National Guard soldiers. One victim, Sarah beckstrom, died from her injuries, while Andrew Wolfe remains in critical condition. Lakanwal, who traveled from Washington state to carry out the attack, was hospitalized after being shot during the incident and appeared via livestream at his court hearing. The judge ordered him held without bond pending trial, scheduled for January 14, 2026. The Justice Department is considering seeking the death penalty. Reports indicate Lakanwal served with the CIA in Afghanistan and struggles with mental health issues, including PTSD. The FBI is investigating the shooting as a potential act of international terrorism. Lakanwal entered the U.S. in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome and was later granted asylum. Following the attack, U.S. immigration agencies have tightened vetting processes for Afghan immigrants, and the Department of Homeland Security is expanding travel bans to include more countries to enhance national security.
Suspect accused of shooting National Guard troops pleads not guilty
The Afghan national accused of shooting two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., the day before Thanksgiving has pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, was charged Tuesday with two counts of assault with intent to kill, one count of murder, and one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Still under medical care, the suspect attended a court hearing via livestream.
At one point during the hearing, Lakanwal said he could not open his eyes and that he was in pain before the judge advised him to stop talking.
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District of Columbia Superior Court Magistrate Judge Renee Raymond ordered that Lakanwal be held in custody without bond before a trial. The defendant is due to appear in court next on Jan. 14, 2026.
The Justice Department is considering seeking the death penalty after the shooter targeted two West Virginia National Guard members outside the Farragut West Metro station near the White House on Wednesday. Sarah Beckstrom succumbed to her wounds the next day. Andrew Wolfe is recovering as he remains in critical condition.
The attacker was also hospitalized after being shot in the incident.
Lakanwal traveled from Washington state to the district to commit what authorities have called a “targeted” shooting against the National Guard. The judge appeared to agree with that assessment.
“It is fairly clear that he came across the country, 3,000 miles, armed, with a specific purpose in mind,” Raymond said during Tuesday’s court hearing.
After the shooting, new information revealed the suspect served with the CIA in Afghanistan and suffered from mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder. Investigators are trying to determine whether his poor mental state was a factor in the attack. The FBI is investigating the incident as a possible act of international terrorism.
Lakanwal entered the United States in 2021 under the Biden administration’s Operation Allies Welcome, which was set up for Afghan refugees following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan that year. He was later granted asylum under the second Trump administration.
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In the wake of the attack, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services moved to restrict the processing of Afghan immigration requests to ensure proper vetting of foreign nationals. Furthermore, the Department of Homeland Security is rolling out a travel ban for numerous countries to preserve national security.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem first announced the expanded travel ban list on Monday without specifying which countries would be affected. CNN reports the new list will feature between 30 and 32 countries, a notable increase from the current list of 19 countries.
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