An Afghan national, accused of shooting two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., reportedly shouted “Allahu akbar!” during the incident, according to court documents. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was subdued by a witness after being hit by return fire.

These revelations came to light as 29-year-old Lakanwal made his initial court appearance via video from his hospital bed in Washington, D.C.’s Superior Court on Tuesday. During this session, his attorney entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf to charges of two counts of assault with intent to kill, one count of murder, and one count of firearm possession during a violent crime.

The incident unfolded on November 26, as outlined in a complaint filed by a D.C. Metro Police officer. The report described a scene where a supervisor was conversing with National Guard members Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe when gunfire suddenly erupted.

According to witness Reynolds, gunshots rang out, causing Beckstrom and Wolfe to collapse to the ground. Simultaneously, he identified Lakanwal as the shooter, who was reportedly yelling “Allahu Akbar!” while firing his weapon. These details were shared in the court document obtained by Fox News Digital.

“Complainant Reynolds reported that he heard gunshots and saw Complainants Beckstrom and Wolfe fall to the ground while simultaneously seeing the defendant, subsequently identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal shooting a gun and screaming, ‘Allahu Akbar!’” the document viewed by Fox News Digital said.

Screenshots show National Guard members scrambling for cover and returning fire during the Nov. 26 ambush near the Farragut West Metro station in Washington, D.C. (Obtained by the Wall Street Journal)

“Complainant Reynolds immediately pulled his issued service weapon and engaged the defendant. During the subsequent gunfight, the defendant was shot and fell to the ground. Complainant Reynolds reported that it appeared the defendant’s firearm was empty, and the defendant was reloading his gun,” it added.

A witness then “jumped on” Lakanwal as he tried to reload his weapon, the court document alleged. The suspect ultimately was subdued and brought into custody.

An undated file photo of Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the suspect in the shooting of two National Guard soldiers in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (Provided by Department of Justice)

At one point during the hearing Tuesday, Lakanwal said through his interpreter, “I cannot open my eyes. I have pain in my…”

D.C. Superior Court Magistrate Judge Renee Raymond cut him off at that point, and his defense attorney said he didn’t want Lakanwal to say anything.

Raymond ruled Lakanwal to be held in custody without bond pending further court actions. 

Wolfe, 24, was wounded and continues to fight for his life. Beckstrom, 20, was killed. 

Attorney General Pam Bondi has said the Department of Justice intends to seek the death penalty.

National Guard members Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24, were shot in Washington, D.C., last Wednesday. Beckstrom died Thursday at a hospital. (U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia; Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Lakanwal had legally entered the U.S. in September 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, the Biden administration’s Afghan evacuation and resettlement program.