Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the Afghan national accused of shooting two US National Guard soldiers near the White House, has pleaded not guilty to murder and assault charges. The 29-year-old appeared via video link from his hospital bed during a brief hearing at Washington DC Superior Court on Tuesday.
Lakanwal is charged with the killing of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and the wounding of Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, in the 26 November attack. Both soldiers were deployed with the West Virginia National Guard as part of the Trump administration’s law enforcement surge in the capital. Lakanwal was also shot and injured during the incident.
Prosecutor Ariel Dean described the shooting as a “shocking crime” and stated that Lakanwal had “traversed the city to some extent” before approaching the troops and opening fire. A police report filed in court said Lakanwal shouted “Allahu Akbar” as he fired, and that another guard member saw him chase and shoot at a further soldier before being detained while trying to reload.
Magistrate Judge Renee Raymond ordered Lakanwal held without bond, citing the “sheer terror that resulted” from his actions. His next court appearance is scheduled for 14 January. Authorities are still investigating a possible motive for what they have described as an ambush-style attack.
Lakanwal entered the US in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, a Biden administration resettlement programme for Afghans following the US withdrawal. His asylum application was approved under the Trump administration. Former President Trump called the shooting a “terrorist attack” and criticised the Biden administration’s immigration policies.
