Washington shooting suspect Lakanwal pleads not guilty
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the Afghan national accused of killing a U.S. National Guard member near the White House, pleaded not guilty to murder
WASHINGTON, United States (MNTV) – Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the Afghan national accused of killing a U.S. National Guard member near the White House, has pleaded not guilty to murder and firearms charges linked to the attack that left one soldier dead and another critically wounded.
Appearing by video from a hospital bed, the 29-year-old faces first-degree murder in the killing of Sarah Beckstrom, 20, as well as assault and weapons charges. Judge Renee Raymond ordered him held without bond. Attorney General Pam Bondi plans to pursue the death penalty.
A criminal complaint states Lakanwal ambushed Beckstrom and fellow Guardsman Andrew Wolfe during a patrol outside a Washington metro station. Wolfe remains in critical condition.
A third Guard member shot and subdued Lakanwal, saying the suspect opened fire while shouting “Allahu Akbar.”
Officials say Lakanwal entered the US during the 2021 Afghanistan evacuation and previously served with a CIA-backed unit.
Homeland Security officials believe he may have been radicalized after arriving in the U.S.
The incident prompted the Trump administration to freeze visa and asylum processing for Afghan nationals, marking the most sweeping immigration change affecting Afghans since 2021.
The National Guard routinely supports security operations in Washington, especially around federal buildings.
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