Rahmanullah Lakanwal, alleged criminal in shooting of two National Guard members V WashingtonD.C., pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, 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. Lakanwala said he filed the plea through his lawyer, appearing in court via video link from his hospital bed. Associated Press.
Lakanwal, 29, is accused of shooting Army specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died of her wounds on Thursday, November 27; and Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolf, 24, was hospitalized in critical condition after the attack on Wednesday, November 26. They both served as members of West Virginia. National Guard and were deployed to Washington last week as part of President Donald Trump's order in August to send National Guard troops to the city to combat a perceived surge in crime.
According to NBC NewsLakanwal is to be held without bail as per the judge's order. Supreme Court Magistrate Judge Renee Raymond reportedly described the government's case against Lakanwala as “extremely compelling,” saying, “There is video footage of him waiting in broad daylight, armed, and then upon seeing a contingent of law enforcement officers, including dead and wounded National Guard members, walking in their direction and starting shooting at them. This further supports the strength of the government's case.”
Lakanwal was identified as an Afghan national who once worked with the CIA in one of the paramilitary groups also known as Unit Zero. He was granted asylum in 2021 under the Operation Allies Welcome program, which initially granted him parole status. His asylum application was approved in April 2025. Authorities said Lacanwal drove across the country from Bellingham, Washington, where he lived with his wife and five children, to carry out the alleged attack, which occurred near the White House.
In an interview with Fox News Last week, Attorney General Pam Bondi said authorities would seek the death penalty in the case.
