A federal case in Washington, D.C. centers on an Afghan national who pleaded not guilty after an attack on National Guard members near the White House. The suspect faces multiple federal counts, including first-degree murder and weapons charges, and appeared virtually from a hospital bed. Authorities say surveillance footage and other evidence have already shaped a strong prosecution case.
Rahmunallah Lakanwal entered a not guilty plea on charges tied to a deadly shooting that targeted National Guard troops on patrol in the capital. Federal prosecutors have accused Lakanwal of first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill, possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. The court has ordered him held without bond as the case moves forward.
The attack left one soldier dead and another wounded, and it unfolded in a zone with heightened security measures near the White House. The victims named in court documents included Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, who was killed, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, who was wounded and later reported to be improving. Officials say Lakanwal himself was also shot during the incident and was visible on video appearing to be in a hospital bed during his virtual court appearance.
From NBC News:
The man accused of shooting two National Guardsmen, killing one, made a virtual appearance in D.C. Superior Court on Tuesday to face a charge of first-degree murder.
Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who was also shot, could be seen on a video feed laying down in a hospital bed. Officials allege that Lakanwal gunned down Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, last week while they were on patrol near the White House as part of their deployment to the nation’s capital.
Lakanwal, 29, is also charged with assault with intent to kill while armed; possession of a firearm; and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in addition to murder.
He pleaded not guilty to all counts. A judged ordered Lakanwal held without bond.
Superior Court Magistrate Judge Renee Raymond noted that the government’s case against Lakanwal was “exceedingly strong.”
“That there’s video footage of him waiting in broad daylight while armed, and then upon seeing a contingent of law enforcement officers including the slain and injured national guard persons, he went in their direction, and he started shooting at them,” Raymond said. “That goes again to the strength of the governments case.”
Screenshots of surveillance footage were including the charging documents filed on Tuesday.
Officials allege Lakanwal shouted “Allahu akbar!” as he opened fire on the soldiers, and a third National Guard member returned fire to stop him. That reported exclamation is cited by authorities as part of their assessment of motive and intent at the scene. The exchange of gunfire left security forces to secure the perimeter and preserve evidence captured on nearby surveillance cameras.
The location of the attack, close to executive branch buildings, raised immediate alarms about public safety and vulnerable security postures in high-profile parts of the capital. Law enforcement sources say surveillance footage played a central role in the early stages of the investigation, showing movements and actions that prosecutors described as corroborating witness accounts. Those images are now part of charging paperwork discussed in court.
Lakanwal reportedly served with the CIA during the conflict in Afghanistan before relocating to the United States, according to published accounts and court filings. His background is part of investigators’ effort to understand any potential radicalization or external influences that might explain why he allegedly targeted uniformed troops. The investigation continues to examine his travel, associations, and any communications that could tie him to extremist ideology.
The shooting prompted a swift federal response at the highest levels, with the White House authorizing an additional 500 National Guard troops to reinforce security in Washington, D.C. Officials also announced steps to expand travel restrictions tied to countries with documented terrorism concerns. Those moves were framed by authorities as immediate, precautionary measures to protect federal facilities and personnel while the investigation continued.
Prosecutors and magistrates emphasized the strength of the evidence when asking that Lakanwal be detained pending trial, and the judge reiterated that view during the hearing. The government’s case, they say, includes video, physical evidence, and witness testimony that together present a clear narrative of what happened during the patrol. Defense counsel has time to review discovery and prepare a response as the pretrial process unfolds in D.C. Superior Court.
Family members of the slain service member and the wounded guard have been notified and are being kept informed as the case progresses, according to sources familiar with the matter. Federal and local authorities are coordinating on forensic work, evidence processing, and protective measures for active-duty troops assigned to the capital. The legal timeline will include further hearings where judges will weigh motions, evidence disclosure, and scheduling toward a potential trial date.
The incident has sharpened ongoing debates about security, immigration vetting, and the handling of individuals who served in conflict zones abroad before coming to the United States. For now, the focus remains on the court record, the preserved surveillance evidence, and the steps prosecutors say show a deliberate, violent attack on uniformed National Guard members protecting the capital. The matter will continue to play out in court as investigators and legal teams prepare for the next phases of prosecution and defense.
