A 29-year-old Afghan national faces federal firearms charges after allegedly ambushing two National Guard troops near the White House on Nov. 26, killing one and wounding another.
Federal Charges
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, has been charged with transporting a firearm in interstate commerce with the intent to commit an offense punishable for more than one year. He is also charged federally with transporting a stolen firearm in interstate commerce. These charges stem from the ambush that left West Virginia National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom, 20, dead and Andrew Wolfe, 24, seriously injured.
Transfer to District Court
“The transfer of this case from Superior Court to District Court ensures that we can undertake the serious, deliberate, and weighty analysis required to determine if the death penalty is appropriate here,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. Pirro noted that Beckstrom was just 20 when she was killed and that her parents are now forced to endure the holiday season without their daughter. She added that Wolfe, by the grace of God, survived but has a long road ahead in his recovery.
Guard Members and Deployment
Beckstrom and Wolfe were deployed with the West Virginia National Guard for President Donald Trump’s law-enforcement surge in the nation’s capital. The surge has flooded Washington, D.C., with federal agents and troops since August. The two Guard members were ambushed outside a subway station three blocks from the White House.
Lakanwal’s Background
Lakanwal is accused of driving from Bellingham, Washington to Washington, D.C. while in possession of a stolen firearm and ambushing the Guard members. An Afghan national, he worked with the American government, including the CIA, as a member of a partner force in Kandahar, Afghanistan, CIA Director John Ratcliffe said. He entered the United States in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, a Biden administration program that evacuated and resettled tens of thousands of Afghans after the U.S. withdrawal.
Current Legal Status
Lakanwal remains charged with first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill and illegal possession of a firearm in the shooting that killed Beckstrom and wounded Wolfe, in violation of D.C. code. He was shot during the encounter and has pleaded not guilty to the D.C. charges. There is no death penalty in D.C. Superior Court.
District Court Proceedings
The case has moved to District Court to allow for a thorough examination of the circumstances. The transfer is intended to facilitate a serious, deliberate, and weighty analysis to determine if the death penalty is appropriate. This step follows the initial filing of federal firearms charges.
Impact on Families
Sarah Beckstrom’s parents are grieving the loss of their daughter during the holiday season. Andrew Wolfe is recovering from serious injuries sustained in the ambush. The families are now facing the aftermath of the incident while the legal process unfolds.
Law-Enforcement Surge Context
The law-enforcement surge, initiated by President Trump, has placed additional federal agents and troops in Washington, D.C., since August. The surge has increased security presence around the White House and surrounding areas. The ambush occurred within this heightened security environment.
Lakanwal’s Legal Representation
Lakanwal’s lawyer was not immediately available for comment. No statements from his legal team were provided at the time of reporting.
Key Takeaways
- Rahmanullah Lakanwal faces federal firearms charges after ambushing two Guard members near the White House.
- The ambush on Nov. 26 killed Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and wounded Andrew Wolfe, 24.
- The case has moved from Superior Court to District Court to allow a thorough analysis of the death penalty.
The incident underscores the heightened security context of Washington, D.C., during the Trump-era law-enforcement surge and the ongoing legal ramifications for those involved.
