Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, now faces significant new federal firearms charges in connection with the fatal shooting of a National Guard member and the serious injury of another near the White House on November 26. This escalation in the legal proceedings is critical, as it allows federal prosecutors to consider seeking the death penalty, a sentencing option explicitly prohibited under local Washington D.C. statutes where the initial murder charges were filed. The ambush tragically resulted in the death of 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and left 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe with severe, life-altering injuries.
The federal indictment against Lakanwal includes two distinct charges: transporting a firearm in interstate commerce with the clear intent to commit an offense punishable by more than one year in prison, and separately, transporting a stolen firearm across state lines. The strategic transfer of this high-profile case from D.C. Superior Court to the federal District Court represents a pivotal procedural development, specifically designed to facilitate a thorough and deliberate review for the potential application of capital punishment, given the severity of the alleged crimes.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro underscored the profound implications of the federal transfer, stating it “ensures that we can undertake the serious, deliberate, and weighty analysis required to determine if the death penalty is appropriate here.” Pirro lamented the tragic loss of Sarah Beckstrom, just 20, whose parents now confront the holiday season without their daughter. She also acknowledged the arduous and lengthy recovery journey ahead for Andrew Wolfe, who “by the grace of God, survived” the attack.
Despite the new federal charges, Lakanwal remains indicted under local D.C. statutes for first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill, and illegal possession of a firearm in connection with the November 26 shooting. He has formally entered a plea of not guilty to these specific D.C. code violations. The jurisdictional distinction is paramount, as the D.C. Superior Court explicitly prohibits the death penalty, a legal constraint that directly influenced the federal government’s decision to pursue separate charges in District Court.
Both victims, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, were deployed to the nation’s capital as members of the West Virginia National Guard. Their deployment formed part of a broader law-enforcement surge initiated by former President Donald Trump, which had significantly increased the presence of federal agents and military personnel in Washington D.C. since August. Authorities allege Lakanwal embarked on a cross-country journey from Bellingham, Washington, to Washington D.C., purportedly carrying a stolen firearm, before ambushing the two unsuspecting Guard members outside a subway station mere blocks from the White House.
Further details regarding Lakanwal’s complex background have also emerged during the investigation. An Afghan national, he reportedly maintained ties with the American government, including the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), having served as a “member of a partner force” in Kandahar, Afghanistan. This information was previously disclosed by then-CIA Director John Ratcliffe, adding a significant and unusual dimension to the profile of the accused.
Lakanwal’s entry into the United States was facilitated in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, a comprehensive initiative launched by the Biden administration. This program was instrumental in evacuating and resettling tens of thousands of Afghan citizens who were displaced following the rapid U.S. military withdrawal from the country. His presence in the U.S. thus underscores the broader humanitarian and geopolitical implications of the post-withdrawal efforts.
During the violent confrontation on November 26, Lakanwal himself sustained gunshot wounds, though the circumstances surrounding his injuries have not been fully detailed. As the federal proceedings commence, his legal counsel has not yet provided public comment regarding the newly filed federal charges or the intricate and evolving nature of the ongoing investigation.
