Afghan resettled by Biden admin in US could face death penalty under new charges over ambush attack on WV National Guardsmen in DC
Lakanwal yelled “Allahu Akbar” when he fired off his rounds, the police report states.
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Lakanwal yelled “Allahu Akbar” when he fired off his rounds, the police report states.
Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal has pleaded not guilty to charges laid out in a 17-count superseding indictment over the ambush shooting attack on two West Virginia National Guardsmen in Washington, DC. Spc. Sarah Beckstrom died from her injuries and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe is still recovering from the November 2025 attack.
Lakanwal was arraigned on 17 counts, including first-degree murder and other charges. The new indictment makes him eligible for the death penalty under federal law. Lakanwal previously pleaded not guilty to nine charges in January in connection with the attack on Beckstrom and Wolfe.
“Sarah Beckstrom was 20 years old, serving her country in the nation's capital, when Rahmanullah Lakanwal allegedly drove across the country and executed her in cold blood steps from the White House,” said US Attorney Jeanine Pirro when the indictment was served. “That is not just a crime, it is a major offense against the United States. We will pursue every penalty the law permits as we seek justice for Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe.”
The Department of Justice has not yet announced whether it will seek the death penalty against Lakanwal. His defense still must show why they believe he should not face the ultimate punishment for this crime.
Beckstrom, 20, and Wolfe, 24, had been deployed from the West Virginia National Guard unit as part of President Donald Trump's plan to reduce crime in the nation's capitol.
Lakanwal is alleged to have driven across the country from Washington state while in possession of a stolen firearm. That is the gun he is accused of using to shoot both Beckstrom and Wolfe. Lakanwal yelled “Allahu Akbar” when he fired off his rounds, the police report states.
Lakanwal was allowed into the country in 2021 through the Biden administration's program that resettled Afghans when the US withdrew from the country, "Operation Allies Welcome." He worked with the American government and partners with the CIA in Afghanistan. The Trump administration has said that these asylum seekers were not properly vetted.
Lakanwal is due back in court on September 16, however, a trial date for his case has not been set.
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