Watch: DC Bureau Examines Immigration Policies Following National Guard Incident

The individual accused of attacking two National Guard members in Washington, resulting in one fatality, now faces a series of charges, including murder and assault, according to recently released court documents.

Rahmanullah Lakanwal, aged 29, was formally charged on Tuesday in D.C. Superior Court with several counts related to last week’s incident, which targeted members of the West Virginia National Guard. They were stationed in the capital as part of President Trump’s initiative to address local crime issues.

Tragically, U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom succumbed to her injuries, while U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe remains hospitalized. However, as of Monday, he was reportedly showing signs of improvement, as shared by West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey (R).

The charges against Lakanwal include first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill while armed, and possession of a firearm during a violent crime.

At an initial court appearance by video, Lakanwal’s attorney entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. The defendant was ordered held without bond after a D.C. Superior Court judge found probable cause he committed the offenses, though he is currently being treated under guard at a local hospital.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 14. 

According to charging documents, a National Guard supervisor saw Beckstrom and Wolfe fall to the ground as gunfire broke out and Lakanwal “shooting a gun and screaming, ‘Allahu Akbar.’” 

A gunfight ensued between Lakanwal, the supervisor and another National Guard member, prosecutors said. The suspect was shot and fell to the ground, seeming to reload his gun, when one of the guards members “jumped on” him and apprehended him. 

Lakanwal is charged with first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill while armed and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence. Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C., said “there are certainly many more charges to come.” 

The attack occurred the day before Thanksgiving near the Farragut West metro station, a public transit stop just blocks from the White House.  

An Afghan national, Lakanwal entered the United States in September 2021 through a Biden administration program that followed the U.S. military’s withdrawal from Afghanistan after its 20-year war there.  

The program, “Operation Allies Welcome,” was intended to support American allies at risk following the Taliban’s takeover. Lakanwal previously worked with the Central Intelligence Agency and U.S. troops in Afghanistan. 

The Trump administration granted him asylum in April.  

In response to the shooting, Trump directed a review of all people who entered the U.S. from Afghanistan after the military pull-out. His administration also indefinitely halted immigration from the country and said it would reexamine green cards given to migrants from there and 18 other countries.  

Officials said Lakanwal drove across the U.S. from his home in Washington state, where he lived with his wife and children, with plans to carry out the attack. His life in the U.S. was reportedly troubled. 

Trump has called the shooting “an act of terror” and claimed “the steepest possible price” will be paid, as Attorney General Pam Bondi has suggested prosecutors could seek the death penalty. 

Updated at 3:45 p.m. EST