DC Guard shooting suspect pleads not guilty, held without bond in D.C. Superior Court
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29‑year‑old Afghan national accused of ambushing National Guard members near Farragut Square, pleaded not guilty during a remote D.C. Superior Court appearance from a hospital bed and was ordered held without bond by Magistrate Judge Renee Raymond. Prosecutors say he faces an upgraded indictment including first‑degree murder, multiple counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence — the attack killed Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and left SSgt. Andrew Wolfe hospitalized in serious condition, and the government has signaled it may seek the death penalty.
📌 Key Facts
- Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, was charged in D.C. Superior Court with first‑degree murder and multiple related counts (including three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and assault with intent to kill); he pleaded not guilty during a remote appearance from a hospital bed and was ordered held without bond by Magistrate Judge Renee Raymond, with the next court date set for mid‑January.
- Prosecutors say the Nov. 26 ambush occurred about 2:15 p.m. near the Farragut West/Farragut Square metro area (17th Street NW), when the suspect — armed with a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver — opened fire after turning a corner, reportedly fired 10–15 rounds, shouted 'Allahu Akbar,' chased another Guard member, and was struck by return fire and subdued by service members and a civilian witness.
- Two West Virginia National Guard members were wounded: Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, who died from her injuries, and Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, who was critically wounded and remains hospitalized but has shown signs of improvement (waking from an induced coma, moving toes, opening eyes); families and officials have held vigils and memorial services.
- Authorities say Lakanwal drove cross‑country from Bellingham, Washington, to D.C.; he lived in Bellingham with his wife and five children, arrived in the U.S. under Operation Allies Welcome in 2021, applied for asylum in Dec. 2024 and had asylum approved in 2025, and neighbors and records show periods of job loss, isolation and mental‑health struggles documented by caseworkers.
- Federal investigators (FBI and DHS) have described the probe as extensive — executing warrants, seizing devices, searching homes (including in Washington state), and examining possible radicalization or foreign‑linked networks (reports have said investigators are probing potential ties including to Tablighi Jamaat); DOJ has said additional charges may follow.
- The Department of Justice, including U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro and Attorney General Pam Bondi, has signaled it intends to seek the death penalty; prosecutors and the magistrate described the government's case as 'exceedingly strong' and emphasized the attack's terrorizing impact on the public and the Guard.
- The shooting has occurred against the backdrop of a large National Guard presence in D.C. (roughly 2,100–2,200 troops deployed since August as part of a public‑safety mission); President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a request to send 500 additional Guard members after the attack, while a federal judge (Jia Cobb) recently found the deployment likely unlawful and stayed that ruling until Dec. 11 to allow an appeal.
📊 Relevant Data
Among recently resettled Afghan refugees in the US, 62.1% screened positive for depression and 20.1% for probable Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
The association of migration-related stress with poor mental health among recently resettled Afghan refugees — ScienceDirect
More than 5,000 Afghan migrants brought to the US since 2021 have been flagged for national security concerns out of over 70,000 evacuees under Operation Allies Welcome.
Over 5K Afghan migrants flagged on ‘national security’ grounds since 2021, document reveals — New York Post
In 2023, foreign-born residents constituted 14.1% of Washington, D.C.'s population (95,435 individuals), an increase from 12.9% in 2000, with the largest groups originating from Latin America (43.4%), Asia (19.7%), Europe (17.1%), and Africa (16.9%).
State Demographics Data - DC — Migration Policy Institute
Roughly 200,000 Afghans have come to the U.S. since the Taliban seized control in Afghanistan in 2021.
Many Afghans living in the U.S. fear being tortured or killed if they return home — NPR
📰 Sources (57)
West Virginia National Guard member killed in DC is shooting laid to rest
New information:
- Spc. Sarah Beckstrom was laid to rest with full military honors at the West Virginia National Cemetery in Grafton on Tuesday, Dec. 9.
- Gov. Patrick Morrisey issued a statement describing the ceremony as 'deeply moving.'
- Update on SSgt. Andrew Wolfe: remains hospitalized in Washington and is expected to be in acute care for several more weeks.
- Background details reaffirmed: ambush occurred Nov. 26 near a D.C. subway station three blocks from the White House; Beckstrom died the next day; the suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, has been charged with murder and pleaded not guilty.
Trump gives update on wounded National Guard member 2 weeks after DC ambush shooting: ‘He got up from bed’
New information:
- President Trump said SSgt. Andrew Wolfe “moved his finger” days after the attack and has now “got up from bed,” though he has not spoken yet.
- Trump stated he has been in close contact with Wolfe’s family and invited Wolfe’s parents to the Oval Office.
- He praised the medical teams caring for Wolfe, noting Wolfe remains under intensive care following a head wound.
Wounded National Guardsman beginning to 'look more like himself,' remains in acute care: West Virginia gov
New information:
- Gov. Patrick Morrisey says Andrew Wolfe’s head wound is healing and he is starting to 'look more like himself.'
- Family expects Wolfe to remain in acute care for another 2–3 weeks.
- AG Pam Bondi says doctors found no blood clots after an angiogram and Wolfe is now able to open both eyes.
- A prayer vigil for Wolfe was held at Musselman High School in Berkeley County, WV; the event also honored slain Guardsman Sarah Beckstrom.
National Guard member is "slowly healing" after D.C. shooting, governor says
New information:
- Gov. Patrick Morrisey says SSgt. Andrew Wolfe’s head wound is “slowly healing” and he is beginning to “look more like himself.”
- Family expects Wolfe to remain in acute care for 2–3 more weeks.
- Wolfe gave a thumbs-up response and moved his toes earlier in the week, described as a positive sign by the governor.
Bondi describes wounded National Guardsman as a 'miracle,' says 'he's able to open both eyes'
New information:
- AG Pam Bondi says wounded Air Force SSgt. Andrew Wolfe is now able to open both eyes.
- Bondi reports doctors performed an angiogram on Wolfe and found no blood clots, calling his condition a 'miracle.'
- Bondi states the Department of Justice intends to seek the death penalty against suspect Rahmanullah Lakanwal.
Man charged in National Guard shooting pleads not guilty in court appearance from hospital bed
New information:
- Police report says the suspect shouted 'Allahu Akbar!' during the attack and chased another Guard member before being detained while attempting to reload.
- Judge Renee Raymond cited the 'sheer terror' caused, called the government’s case 'exceedingly strong,' and said it appears the suspect traveled cross‑country with a specific purpose.
- Prosecutor said the suspect 'traversed the city' before approaching the troops; he is a Washington state resident.
- U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said he will be moved to a facility that can address medical needs when stable, could face additional federal charges, and that AG Pam Bondi will decide whether to seek the death penalty.
- Victim details reiterated with ages: Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, killed; SSgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, wounded.
- Background detail: Entered U.S. in 2021 via Operation Allies Welcome; asylum approved under the Trump administration, per #AfghanEvac.
National Guard shooting suspect shouted 'Allahu Akbar,' was struck by return fire and subdued by witness: feds
New information:
- Prosecutors say the suspect shouted 'Allahu Akbar' during the attack.
- A National Guard supervisor returned fire and struck the suspect, according to court documents.
- A witness 'jumped on' the suspect as he attempted to reload his .357-caliber revolver, helping subdue him.
- Prosecutors allege the suspect drove cross-country to D.C. with the revolver and surveilled the Guard contingent for about one minute before opening fire.
- The magistrate judge presiding was Renee Raymond; the defendant appeared remotely from a hospital bed.
- Attorney General Pam Bondi reiterated DOJ intends to seek the death penalty.
FBI probes possible ties of National Guard shooter to shadowy sect, a ‘catalyst’ for jihad
New information:
- FBI and DHS are probing whether Tablighi Jamaat networks in the U.S. played a role in radicalizing or assisting Rahmanullah Lakanwal.
- Family‑relayed phone call details: Lakanwal told his wife he was 'with Tablighis' and 'doing Tabligh' shortly before disappearing; his brother shared these details with the FBI.
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said officials believe Lakanwal was radicalized in the U.S. via connections in his home community and state.
New details on National Guard shooting revealed at suspect's first court hearing
New information:
- At the suspect’s first court hearing, court documents included newly released surveillance images.
- The images appear to show the suspect standing near a busy D.C. Metro station before turning a corner and opening fire.
- Prosecutors presented additional context about the sequence of events immediately preceding the shooting.
Patel blasts Biden's 'emblematic failure' after Afghan national charged in Guard shooting
New information:
- FBI Director Kash Patel called the case a 'sprawling international terrorism investigation' and said the FBI has issued dozens of legal processes, seized dozens of devices, searched two houses, and interviewed many associates.
- Patel said the Bureau will pursue 'anyone and everyone' the suspect communicated with and 'leave no stone unturned.'
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said vetting will be overhauled to require country-of-origin biometric and criminal-history cross-referencing, expand social media screening, and require annual check-ins.
National Guard shooting suspect charged with murder, held without bond
New information:
- Charging documents detail that Lakanwal allegedly yelled 'Allahu Akbar!' as he opened fire and was shot by another Guard member while reloading.
- Additional count noted: possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
- Security footage described showing Lakanwal running toward the victims, attempting to chase another Guard member, and bending down next to the wounded after the shooting.
- Magistrate judge at the initial appearance said the government's case was 'exceedingly strong.'
- Next court appearance scheduled for mid-January.
DC National Guard shooting suspect formally charged
New information:
- Lakanwal was formally charged in D.C. Superior Court with two counts of assault with intent to kill, one count of murder, and one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
- He pleaded not guilty and appeared remotely from a hospital bed; the judge noted he appeared in pain.
- Magistrate Judge Renee Raymond ordered him held without bond pending further proceedings.
- The article reiterates DOJ’s intent to seek the death penalty, while noting the victims’ statuses: Spc. Sarah Beckstrom was killed and SSgt. Andrew Wolfe remains in critical condition.
National Guard member in DC shooting shows 'positive sign' West Virginia governor says
New information:
- West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey says injured SSgt. Andrew Wolfe showed a 'positive sign,' giving a thumbs up and wiggling his toes; Wolfe remains in serious condition.
- Vigil remembrances detail Spc. Sarah Beckstrom’s service and recent deployment to D.C. with the West Virginia National Guard.
- A refugee resettlement volunteer who knew the suspect’s family told NPR they saw no signs of radicalization and believed the suspect was in a mental health crisis.
- Authorities say the suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, drove from Washington state to D.C. before the attack and remains in custody on a first-degree murder charge.
Wounded National Guard member responded to nurse and wiggled toes, governor says
New information:
- Wounded Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe remains in serious condition but gave a thumbs-up to a nurse and moved his toes, which officials called a positive sign.
- West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey ordered flags to remain at half-staff until further notice to honor Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom.
- Approximately 170 West Virginia National Guard members remain deployed in Washington, D.C., on a voluntary basis, per the governor.
- Maj. Gen. Jim Seward said Guard members on scene acted professionally and in line with their training and that the Guard community is grieving.
- Gov. Morrisey said he spoke with President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi, expressed confidence in a complete investigation, and labeled the killing a “terrible act of terrorism.”
- Officials reiterated the suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was shot by another Guard member, taken into custody, and remains hospitalized.
National Guardsman injured in shooting has woken up from induced coma, West Virginia governor says
New information:
- West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey said Monday that wounded National Guardsman SSgt. Andrew Wolfe has woken up from an induced coma.
- This is the first official update indicating Wolfe has regained consciousness since last week’s D.C. ambush.
What we know about the vetting process of the National Guard shooting suspect
New information:
- CBS reports, citing U.S. officials, that Rahmanullah Lakanwal arrived in the U.S. in September 2021 under humanitarian parole as part of Operation Allies Welcome.
- CBS reports Lakanwal applied for asylum with USCIS in December 2024.
- A DHS official told CBS the asylum vetting process includes biometrics collection, social media review, FBI background checks and other screenings.
- Emails obtained by CBS indicate Lakanwal’s mental health deteriorated in recent years and he became isolated from his family.
- The article references a 2022 DHS OIG report noting data gaps in vetting during the Afghan evacuation.
WV gov gives update on wounded Guardsman, talks future of DC mission as general says troops are grieving
New information:
- Gov. Patrick Morrisey said SSgt. Andrew Wolfe was upgraded from critical to serious condition and responded with a thumbs-up to a nurse’s request.
- Maj. Gen. James Seward and Morrisey said 170 West Virginia National Guard members remain active in Washington, D.C., and all service on the mission is volunteer.
- Morrisey noted West Virginia has not been asked to deploy additional troops beyond current rotations and that he is in contact with President Trump and AG Pam Bondi about the mission’s future.
Trump invites families of two National Guard members shot in DC to White House, plans to honor soldiers
New information:
- President Trump says he spoke with the families of Sarah Beckstrom (deceased) and Andrew Wolfe (critically wounded).
- Trump invited the families to visit the White House to honor both soldiers, stating he intends to recognize them there.
- Trump provided an update relayed from the family that Wolfe is 'fighting for his life' and asked the public to pray for him.
- West Virginia held local vigils, including one at Webster County High School, where Gov. Patrick Morrisey praised Beckstrom.
National Guard shooting suspect spent weeks in isolation, 2024 emails say
New information:
- Caseworker emails from Jan. 11 and Jan. 31, 2024 describe Lakanwal’s prolonged mental-health struggles, isolation in a dark room for weeks, joblessness, and an eviction notice for nonpayment of rent.
- Emails cite reported 'manic episodes' where he left in the family car for 1–2 weeks, followed by interim periods of attempting to make amends; the caseworker suspected PTSD linked to prior work with U.S. forces.
- Clarifies asylum timeline: applied Dec. 2024; asylum granted Apr. 2025 after vetting (background checks, social media reviews, interview).
- U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said he drove cross-country from Bellingham, WA to D.C. before the attack.
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem asserted he was 'radicalized' in the U.S., offering no further details.
Afghan suspect in National Guard attack was 'radicalized' after arriving to US, Noem says
New information:
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem says investigators believe Lakanwal was radicalized after arriving in the U.S., through connections in his U.S. community/state.
- Noem says individuals who knew Lakanwal have provided "some participation" to U.S. officials.
- Noem asserts Lakanwal’s asylum was formally granted in April during the Trump administration but that vetting information was collected under the Biden administration.
- Noem says the administration has implemented stronger vetting measures, including expanded social‑media and network checks.
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