A judge ordered Rahmanullah Lakanwal held without bond on Tuesday, describing the evidence against the 29-year-old accused of ambushing two National Guard members in the nation’s capital as “exceedingly strong.”
Lakanwal appeared virtually from a D.C. hospital room, where he is recovering from gunshot wounds sustained during the attack. He faces charges of murder, assault with intent to kill while armed, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
The charges stem from the shooting of Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe. Beckstrom, 20, died of her injuries, while Wolfe remains hospitalized in critical condition.
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During the initial appearance, prosecutors laid out a timeline of the violence based on security footage and witness accounts. Charging documents allege that Lakanwal waited near a subway station before sprinting toward the intersection where the service members were walking. Witnesses told investigators he shouted “Allahu Akbar”—Arabic for “God is great”—as he opened fire.
Prosecutors described a chaotic scene where Lakanwal allegedly stood over the victims after the initial shots and attempted to chase a third service member. The rampage ended when another National Guard member returned fire, striking Lakanwal as he paused to reload his weapon.
The background of the suspect has drawn intense scrutiny. Sources confirmed to CBS News that Lakanwal served on a CIA-backed operations team in Afghanistan for roughly eight years before fleeing the Taliban. He arrived in the United States in 2021 and was granted asylum earlier this year.
However, emerging evidence suggests a man in decline. Emails obtained by investigators point to severe mental health deterioration, isolation from his family, and struggles with PTSD. While Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem suggested over the weekend that Lakanwal may have “radicalized” after arriving in the U.S., his family has cited his untreated trauma.
The attack has triggered immediate policy shifts within the Trump administration. Officials cited the incident as justification for halting visa and immigration processing for Afghan nationals and ordering a review of green card cases involving immigrants from 19 countries.
Legal repercussions are expected to escalate. D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro promised that “no stone will be left unturned” regarding further charges, while Attorney General Pam Bondi stated she is considering seeking the death penalty.
Lakanwal is scheduled to appear in court again in mid-January.
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