An Afghan man has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including premeditated murder and assault, in connection to the shooting of two National Guardsmen in Washington, DC. Rahmanullah Lakanwal appeared via video link from his hospital bed following the violent incident, which occurred near the White House last week.
Details of the Incident
Lakanwal is accused of shooting two National Guard members, one of whom, Sarah Beckstrom, succumbed to her injuries just one day later. The second victim, Andrew Wolfe, remains in critical condition following the attack.
Court Appearance and Charges
During the court proceedings held on Tuesday, DC Superior Court Magistrate Judge Renee Raymond ordered Lakanwal to be detained without bond. The judge expressed concerns for community safety, stating, “No condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the safety of the community.”
- Date of Incident: November 26
- Location: Northwest downtown Washington, DC
- Charges:
- Premeditated murder
- Assault with intent to kill
- First-degree murder while armed
Background of the Accused
Lakanwal, who moved to the United States in 2021 after working with US forces in Afghanistan, had been living in Washington state before the incident. His lawyer noted that the prosecution took too long to bring charges and emphasized Lakanwal’s lack of prior criminal history.
Reactions to the Shooting
According to law enforcement, Lakanwal reportedly yelled “Allahu Akbar” while opening fire on the National Guardsmen as they were patrolling the area shortly after 2 PM ET. The incident was described in detail in an eight-page court document.
Lakanwal’s next court date is scheduled for January 14. This case is still developing, and further updates will be provided as the situation unfolds.
