An Afghan man appeared in a virtual court hearing from his hospital bed in Washington, D.C., pleading not guilty to charges stemming from the shooting of two National Guardsmen. Rahmanullah Lakanwal is accused of attacking the soldiers near the White House, resulting in the death of one, Sarah Beckstrom, and leaving the other, Andrew Wolfe, critically injured.
During the remote hearing, Lakanwal was visible in distress, lying in his hospital bed with his eyes closed, appearing to be in pain. Prosecutors allege that he shouted “Allahu Akbar” as he opened fire in downtown Washington. Prior to the shooting, he had traveled approximately 3,000 miles from his home in Washington state, where he lived with family after his relocation to the U.S. in 2021, following work with U.S. forces in Afghanistan.
D.C. Superior Court Magistrate Judge Renee Raymond ordered that Lakanwal be detained without bond, citing concerns for community safety and the severity of the charges, which include premeditated murder and assault with intent to kill. The judge emphasized the “sheer terror” the incident caused. Despite defense arguments stating that the government took too long to press charges and Lakanwal’s lack of prior criminal history, the court found sufficient grounds to hold him before trial.
Throughout the hearing, Lakanwal communicated through an interpreter, expressing his discomfort. An attorney for Lakanwal contested the basis for pretrial detention, while prosecutors highlighted the nature of the charges and Lakanwal’s disconnect from the local community as reasons for keeping him in custody.
Surveillance footage played a critical role in the investigation, capturing the moments leading up to the shooting. The video shows Lakanwal standing near the Farragut West Metro station before the incident and later chasing after another individual while continuing to fire his weapon. The two Guardsmen were reportedly on patrol when they were shot, collapsing onto the ground, prompting an immediate response from law enforcement.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, present at the hearing, remarked on Lakanwal’s lack of community ties, stating, “We have no idea who he is.” The question of the death penalty for Lakanwal remains open, to be decided later by the attorney general according to Pirro.
Lakanwal is scheduled to return to court on January 14 for further proceedings. This case raises significant concerns regarding public safety and the ongoing implications of violence in urban settings, highlighting the complexities of integrating individuals with military backgrounds into civilian life.