The man suspected of shooting two West Virginia National Guard members in downtown D.C. last week made his first court appearance Tuesday afternoon and pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal appeared in D.C. Superior Court remotely as he remains hospitalized. He was seen via video stream lying in a hospital bed. A blanket covered all but his head.
Lakanwal pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed and gun charges. His attorney argued unsuccessfully for his release.
Specialist Sarah Beckstrom died on Thanksgiving at age 20 after the ambush shooting just blocks north of the White House a day earlier. Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, is “still fighting for his life,” West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey said in an update Monday.
Lakanwal, an Afghan national who was living in Washington state, rounded a corner and immediately opened fire on Beckstrom and Wolfe, officials said. Investigators are working to determine a motive.
Lakanwal spoke softly on Tuesday and his voice sounded strained at times. He spoke in Pashtu via an interpreter.
“I cannot open my eyes,” he said at one point. “I have pain.”
A major’s account of the ambush
An eight-page charging document lays out some of the government’s evidence as well as a first-hand narrative of the moments before and after the shooting. A West Virginia National Guard major described witnessing the attack and shooting at the suspect.
Lakanwal screamed “Allahu Akbar” as he fired a gun until it was empty and then tried to reload, the major told investigators.
The major and a uniformed Secret Service officer were able to subdue the suspect.
The charging document reveals that Beckstrom was shot in the back of her head.
Surveillance video submitted as evidence shows the suspect standing outside the Farragut West Metro station before opening fire. Other images show the moment the shooter approached the National Guard members and opened fire. The shooter is circled in red as the guard members are circled in blue.
Judge rejected request to let the suspected shooter walk free
Lakanwal was represented by Terrence Austin, a public defender for D.C. Austin tried to make the claim on behalf of Lakanwal that because Lakanwal was arrested without a warrant six days ago, the delay in presenting him for an initial appearance should be cause to allow him to walk free while he awaits trial.
Judge Renee Raymond quickly shot that down, ordering Lakanwal held without bond.
“The nature and circumstances of the instant offense, the strength of the government’s case, the sheer terror that resulted and that continues to animate because of his actions lead me to conclude that no condition or combinations of conditions would reasonably assure the safety of the community,” she said.
“He waited in broad daylight, that there’s video footage of him waiting in broad daylight while armed, and then upon seeing a contingent of law enforcement officers including the slain and injured National Guard persons, he went in their direction, and he started shooting at them. That goes again to the strength of the government’s case,” Raymond said. “I find the government’s case is exceedingly strong.”
‘There is nothing off the table right now’
After the hearing, U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro spoke with reporters about the likelihood of additional charges, as well as federal charges that could be added.
“Our job is to prove this case beyond a reasonable doubt and make sure that we have all of the evidence
that is out there so that we can charge whatever crimes are appropriate in this case,” she said.
In response to a reporter’s question, she added: “We are pursuing everything. There is nothing off the table right now. This is an individual about whom we don’t know a lot, but we will, trust me, before it’s over.”
So far, Lakanwal faces charges in D.C. Superior Court, not federal court. If convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison but would not face the death penalty, as there’s no death penalty in D.C.
Lakanwal worked in a special CIA-backed Afghan Army unit before emigrating from Afghanistan to the U.S. in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, a Biden administration program that evacuated and resettled tens of thousands of Afghans after the U.S. withdrawal from the country, officials said. Lakanwal applied for asylum under the Biden administration, but his asylum was approved under the Trump administration, the group #AfghanEvac said.
Since the shooting, the Trump administration has announced a flurry of policies aimed at making it harder for some foreigners to enter or stay in the country. The administration said it was pausing asylum decisions, reexamining green card applications for people from countries “of concern” and halting visas for Afghans who assisted the U.S. war effort.
Lakanwal is due in court again on Jan. 14.
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