Afghan National Pleads Not Guilty in National Guard Shooting, Appearing Virtually from Hospital Bed
Lakanwal, who was also wounded in the November 26 incident, appeared via video from his hospital bed in Washington, D.C. Superior Court, wearing a hospital gown and struggling to keep his eyes open.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national accused of fatally shooting one National Guard member and wounding another in an ambush-style attack near the White House, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and assault charges during a virtual court appearance on December 2, 2025. Lakanwal, who was also wounded in the November 26 incident, appeared via video from his hospital bed in Washington, D.C. Superior Court, wearing a hospital gown and struggling to keep his eyes open. His court-appointed attorney, David Bos, entered the plea on his behalf, as Lakanwal spoke through an interpreter and stated he was in pain.
The shooting occurred on November 26, 2025, around 7:30 p.m. ET, when Lakanwal allegedly opened fire on two West Virginia National Guard members on patrol blocks from the White House. Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, was killed, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, was seriously injured. A nearby Guard member reported hearing gunshots and seeing Lakanwal shooting while shouting "Allahu Akbar." Lakanwal, who served in a CIA-trained unit in Afghanistan during the U.S. occupation, entered the U.S. in 2021 under the Biden administration's Operation Allies Welcome program for Afghan evacuees. He had no prior criminal record but was under investigation for possible mental health issues, with emails from a 2024 case worker noting his isolation.
Lakanwal faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, unlawful possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro's office described the case as "exceedingly strong," citing evidence from ballistics, witness statements, and surveillance. Magistrate Judge Renee Raymond ordered Lakanwal held without bond, stating the attack caused "sheer terror" in the capital and posed a flight risk. His next hearing is scheduled for January 14, 2026.
The case will proceed in D.C. Superior Court, with prosecutors expecting a trial in spring 2026. Lakanwal remains hospitalized, and investigators continue examining his motive, including online activity and potential ties to extremism. The incident, part of heightened security around federal sites amid President Trump's law enforcement surge, has prompted reviews of Guard patrols in urban areas.
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