Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national residing in Bellingham, Washington, has been charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with the death of National Guard soldier Sarah Beckstrom. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
The shooting took place on November 26, the day before Thanksgiving, just blocks from the White House. Beckstrom, 20, died from her injuries on November 27. Another National Guardsman, Andrew Wolfe, 24, was critically injured and remains hospitalized.
A D.C. Superior Court judge found probable cause that Lakanwal committed several offenses: first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. The judge ordered Lakanwal held without bond pending a preliminary hearing. He is currently hospitalized under guard due to injuries sustained during the incident.
Court documents state that Lakanwal drove from his home in Washington State to Washington, D.C., arriving at approximately 2:13 p.m. on November 26 at 17th and I Streets NW near Farragut West Metro Station. He then opened fire on two National Guard members without provocation. Other guardsmen at the scene responded quickly to subdue him.
The investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the Metropolitan Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jocelyn Ballentine, Ariel Dean, Christopher Tortorice, and Laura Bach, with special assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason McCullough.
“These charges are merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law,” according to the statement.
