The person accused of ambushing West Virginia Nationwide Guard members close to the White Home in November, killing one and severely wounding one other, is ready to be arraigned in court docket on Wednesday.
Military Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died of her accidents on Nov. 26, the day earlier than Thanksgiving. Air Drive Workers Sgt. Andrew Wolfe suffered a gunshot wound to the pinnacle and stays in restoration.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan nationwide who beforehand labored with the CIA in Afghanistan, faces 9 expenses, together with first-degree homicide, assault with intent to kill and unlawful possession of a firearm, and has pleaded not responsible.
Lakanwal was one among 1000’s of Afghans evacuated to the USA after the Taliban seized management of Afghanistan in 2021, his utility for asylum was accepted in 2025 beneath the Trump administration.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal.
U.S. Division of Justice
Court docket paperwork say Lakanwal shot Beckstrom and Wolfe behind the pinnacle with a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver. A Nationwide Guard main returned hearth, and one other Guard officer subdued Lakanwal. Wolfe remains to be recovering and could have cranioplasty, or cranium reconstruction surgical procedure, in March, in accordance with Melody Wolfe, his mom.
U.S. Legal professional Normal Pam Bondi mentioned she is searching for the loss of life penalty. Lakanwal’s lawyer declined to remark.
In Afghanistan, Lakanwal was affiliated with a so-called Zero Unit, working carefully with the CIA and particular operations, ABC Information reported in December. He was thought of a trusted member of the unit, which carried out U.S. counterterrorism missions, officers with direct data defined.
Nationwide Guard troopers stand behind the crime scene tape at a nook in downtown Washington, D.C., on Nov. 26, 2025. Two Nationwide Guard troopers had been shot a couple of blocks from the White Home, in accordance with legislation enforcement.
Drew Angerer/AFP by way of Getty Photos, FILE
Investigators consider Lakanwal was under financial strain after his work allow expired and should have been experiencing a psychological well being disaster, sources informed ABC Information.
Investigators are additionally analyzing whether or not the latest loss of life of an Afghan commander Lakanwal had labored with and may need admired might have worsened his psychological and emotional state, in accordance with sources.
The 2 guard members had been part of President Donald Trump’s surge of troops into Washington, D.C., for legislation enforcement. After the taking pictures, the president deployed a further 500 guard members into D.C. the place some 2,600 are presently deployed performing civic duties like cleansing rubbish off the road and patrolling the town’s vacationer spots and parks and Metro rail stations.
The guard deployment will last through 2026, two officers informed ABC Information in January.
