The Afghan national accused of shooting two National Guard members near the White House last week has been officially charged with murder and additional offenses. The formal charges were made on Tuesday.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, now faces charges including two counts of assault with intent to kill, one count of murder, and possession of a firearm during a violent crime.
During a hearing at Washington D.C. Superior Court, Lakanwal participated remotely from his hospital bed. He appeared to be in discomfort, lying down with his eyes closed throughout the session.
Lakanwal’s attorney conveyed that his client has entered a plea of not guilty to all charges.
An undated file photo released by the Department of Justice shows Rahmanullah Lakanwal, identified as the suspect in the shooting of two National Guard soldiers on November 26 in Washington, D.C.
During the proceedings, Lakanwal attempted to express his condition, stating through an interpreter, “I cannot open my eyes. I have pain in my…” However, D.C. Superior Court Magistrate Judge Renee Raymond interrupted him, and his defense attorney requested that Lakanwal refrain from speaking further.
Raymond ruled Lakanwal to be held in custody without bond pending further court actions.
U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C. Jeanine Pirro said “nothing is off the table” when it comes to the prosecution of Lakanwal in a press gaggle Tuesday afternoon.
“We are pursuing everything. There is nothing off the table right now,” said Pirro. “This is an individual about whom we don’t know a lot, but we will, trust me.”
Beckstrom was killed and Wolfe remains fighting for his life. A makeshift memorial of flags, flowers and other items was erected Saturday outside the Farragut West Station, near the site where two National Guard members were shot Nov. 26. (Jose Luis Magana; U.S. Attorney’s Office/AP Photo)
The brazen daytime shooting unfolded Nov. 26 near Farragut West Station, less than a mile from the White House.
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, was wounded and continues to fight for his life. U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, was killed.
Attorney General Pam Bondi has said the Department of Justice intends to seek the death penalty.
Lakanwal, who authorities said was shot during the confrontation, was hospitalized.
A court document provided a screengrab from a video that authorities say shows the suspect standing on the sidewalk outside Farragut West Metro station as he appears to glance toward the intersection with 17th Street in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 26. (Superior Court for the District of Columbia Criminal Division)
The shooting stunned Washington and raised new questions about vetting those entering the country.
Lakanwal had legally entered the U.S. in September 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, the Biden administration’s Afghan evacuation and resettlement program.
He had his asylum application approved in April 2025 under the Trump administration, the non-profit group said.
He had served in Afghanistan with NDS-03, an elite unit operated by the CIA with direct U.S. intelligence and military support, according to Afghan Evac, a non-profit that works with Afghans on Special Immigrant Visas (SIV).
Authorities say video shows the suspect run down the sidewalk, turn a corner and immediately fire at the National Guard members. (Superior Court for the District of Columbia Criminal Division)
The Afghan members of these units were highly vetted and trained by the CIA and carried out some of the toughest counterterrorism missions against the Taliban, al Qaeda and others. They were very trusted and brave, according to those who worked with them.
Advocates working with Afghan evacuees said some former members of those units carried deep trauma from years of conflict, though it remains unclear whether that history played a role in Lakanwal’s behavior in the U.S.
