Home / Crime and Justice / Guardsman Slain: Afghan National in Court
Guardsman Slain: Afghan National in Court
4 Feb
Summary
- Afghan national Lakanwal arraigned for shooting two National Guardsmen.
- One Guardsman died from a gunshot wound; another was seriously injured.
- Suspect allegedly drove from Washington State to D.C. to commit the attack.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, faced federal court on Wednesday, pleading not guilty to charges stemming from a deadly attack on two D.C. National Guardsmen. The incident, which occurred near the White House, resulted in the death of Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and serious injury to Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe.
Lakanwal, 29, appeared in court in a wheelchair and spoke Pashto through an interpreter. He faces charges including first-degree murder and assault with intent to kill. Prosecutors allege Lakanwal drove from his home in Washington State to the nation's capital with the intent to commit a felony.
The federal criminal complaint details that Lakanwal allegedly opened fire on the Guardsmen, who were on patrol. A National Guard major in the vicinity returned fire, wounding Lakanwal before he was detained. Beckstrom sustained a fatal gunshot wound, while Wolfe was hospitalized in serious condition and later moved to rehabilitation.
