Newly disclosed emails have painted a troubling picture of the mental state of the man accused of shooting two West Virginia National Guard members near the White House last week. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is reported to have spent "weeks on end" in isolation, his mental health deteriorating sharply in the years following his resettlement in the United States.
A Descent into Isolation and Erratic Behaviour
According to emails obtained by the Associated Press, Rahmanullah Lakanwal's psychological wellbeing had been unravelling for a significant period. The correspondence reveals a man unable to maintain employment or commit to English language classes, instead cycling between prolonged spells of dark isolation and impulsive, cross-country driving trips.
The 29-year-old, who entered the US in 2021 through the Biden administration's Operation Allies Welcome programme, resettled in Bellingham, Washington, with his wife and five young sons. However, he struggled profoundly to assimilate. The emails describe periods where he would retreat to a "darkened room, not speaking to anyone, not even his wife or older kids".
In one email from 31 January 2024, a case worker supporting Afghan families stated Lakanwal had "not been functional as a person, father and provider since March of last year". His behaviour deteriorated to the point that a community advocate contacted a refugee organisation over fears he was becoming suicidal, though they saw no indication he would harm others.
From Afghan Commando to Murder Suspect
Lakanwal's life before arriving in America stood in stark contrast to his reported struggles. In Afghanistan, he served in a special CIA-backed Afghan army unit known as a Zero Unit. His evacuation and resettlement came after the chaotic US withdrawal, a route shared by tens of thousands of Afghans who had worked alongside American forces.
Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney for the District of Columbia, confirmed Lakanwal drove from Bellingham to the nation's capital ahead of the attack. The shooting on the eve of Thanksgiving resulted in the death of 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and left 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe in a critical condition. Lakanwal was shot by another National Guard member during the incident and remains hospitalised, charged with first-degree murder.
A former Afghan commando suggested to CBS News that Lakanwal was deeply affected by the 2024 death of a close friend and fellow commander, who had unsuccessfully sought asylum in the US.
System Response and Ongoing Investigation
The emails also noted "interim" weeks where Lakanwal would attempt to re-engage with support services, as mandated by his entry terms. However, these efforts reportedly evolved into "manic" episodes where he would take the family car on non-stop drives to places like Chicago and Arizona.
In response to the concerns raised in the emails, the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) visited Bellingham in March 2024 to attempt contact with Lakanwal and his family. Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated on NBC's Meet the Press that authorities believe Lakanwal was "radicalised since he’s been here in this country", though she provided no specific evidence or details.
The case worker who knew him described a tragic arc to CBS News: "Rahmanullah was a man who was extremely proud and capable in the world he came from, who felt defeated in the world he came to." The incident has cast a spotlight on the complex challenges of mental health support and assimilation for some refugees in the United States.
