An Afghan national facing allegations of shooting two National Guard soldiers in Washington, D.C., reportedly shouted “Allahu Akbar!” as the incident unfolded, according to a court document. The suspect was subsequently shot and subdued by a bystander.
The details came to light during Rahmanullah Lakanwal’s initial court appearance, which took place via video link from a hospital bed, in the Superior Court of Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. Lakanwal is 29 years old.
His defense lawyer stated that Lakanwal entered a plea of not guilty to charges including two counts of assault with intent to kill, a single count of murder, and one count of firearm possession during a violent crime.
According to a complaint filed by a D.C. Metro Police officer, the incident occurred on November 26, when a supervisor was conversing with National Guard members Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe, and gunshots rang out.
The complaint, as reported by Fox News Digital, included a statement from Complainant Reynolds, who recounted hearing gunfire and witnessing both Beckstrom and Wolfe fall while seeing Lakanwal firing a weapon and shouting “Allahu Akbar!”
Images captured from the scene depict National Guard members seeking cover and returning fire during the ambush, which took place near the Farragut West Metro station in Washington, D.C., as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
“Complainant Reynolds immediately pulled his issued service weapon and engaged the defendant. During the subsequent gunfight, the defendant was shot and fell to the ground. Complainant Reynolds reported that it appeared the defendant’s firearm was empty, and the defendant was reloading his gun,” it added.
A witness then “jumped on” Lakanwal as he tried to reload his weapon, the court document alleged. The suspect ultimately was subdued and brought into custody.
An undated file photo of Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the suspect in the shooting of two National Guard soldiers in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (Provided by Department of Justice)
At one point during the hearing Tuesday, Lakanwal said through his interpreter, “I cannot open my eyes. I have pain in my…”
D.C. Superior Court Magistrate Judge Renee Raymond cut him off at that point, and his defense attorney said he didn’t want Lakanwal to say anything.
Raymond ruled Lakanwal to be held in custody without bond pending further court actions.
Wolfe, 24, was wounded and continues to fight for his life. Beckstrom, 20, was killed.
Attorney General Pam Bondi has said the Department of Justice intends to seek the death penalty.
National Guard members Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24, were shot in Washington, D.C., last Wednesday. Beckstrom died Thursday at a hospital. (U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia; Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Lakanwal had legally entered the U.S. in September 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, the Biden administration’s Afghan evacuation and resettlement program.
