A DC shooting case that left one National Guard serviceman dead and two others injured has escalated to formal murder charges against the suspect. Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, was charged in connection with the Nov. 25 incident in downtown Washington, D.C., just blocks from the White House. He appeared remotely from a hospital bed, where he is recovering from gunshot wounds inflicted by another National Guard member during the confrontation.
Lakanwal, who is from Bellingham, Washington, faced a judge via remote proceedings while dressed in a hospital gown and covered by a blanket. Through a Pashtu interpreter, he was charged with one count of murder, two counts of assault with intent to kill, and one count of possessing a firearm during a crime of violence. He entered a plea of not guilty with the help of court-appointed counsel.
During the hearing, Lakanwal spoke in Pashtu, telling the interpreter that he could not open his eyes due to ear pain and discomfort. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Dean described the event as a startling crime occurring around 2 p.m.—the height of the rush hour on the day before Thanksgiving.
Authorities say the attack targeted Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, who were part of the West Virginia National Guard conducting high-visibility patrols at the time. Beckstrom was killed, and Wolfe remained in critical condition, according to prosecutors.
New information emerged as prosecutors unsealed a criminal complaint against Lakanwal, who is married and a father of five. The document alleges that Lakanwal shot Beckstrom in the back as he attempted to reload after being shot and before he could be subdued. An autopsy confirmed Beckstrom’s fatal shot to the back of the head. Wolfe sustained a gunshot wound to the head in the same assault.
Witnesses told investigators that after the two guards fell, bystanders heard Lakanwal shout “Allahu Akbar,” an Arabic phrase meaning “God is great.” Video recovered from the scene allegedly shows him emerging around a corner with hands raised in a firing stance before opening fire.
The National Guard member who shot Lakanwal reported that the suspect’s revolver, a .357 Smith & Wesson, appeared to be empty as Lakanwal tried to reload. After Lakanwal was shot, a bystander and uniformed Secret Service officers subdued him and took him into custody.
D.C. Superior Court Magistrate Judge Renee Raymond ordered Lakanwal held without bond until at least Jan. 14. She stated that the evidence suggests he traveled across the country with a specific mission in mind, noting video showing him waiting in broad daylight before approaching law enforcement officers and the fallen guards to begin shooting.
Authorities have not publicly determined a motive for the attack, and no terrorism-related charges have been filed yet. Earlier reporting indicated the FBI is examining the shooting as a potential act of international terrorism, though no direct ties to a terrorist organization have been disclosed publicly.
Background details from the investigation show that Lakanwal previously worked with a U.S. government partner force in Kandahar, which ended with Afghanistan’s withdrawal in 2021, according to CIA Director John Ratcliffe. Ratcliffe commented that individuals like Lakanwal should not have been allowed to come to the United States.
Reports also indicate Lakanwal had ties to the Zero Unit in Afghanistan, collaborating with the CIA and the Joint Special Operations Command on counterterrorism missions. Those connections are described by sources familiar with the inquiry.
Investigators are examining whether financial stress—stemming from an expired work permit—and potential mental health concerns contributed to the incident. They are also exploring whether the recent death of a respected Afghan commander who worked with Lakanwal affected his emotional state.
This case remains under active investigation as prosecutors and investigators continue to parse the sequence of events, the suspect’s background, and possible external influences.
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