Overview
- Magistrate Judge Renee Raymond ordered Rahmanullah Lakanwal held without bond and scheduled the next hearing for January 14.
- Lakanwal, 29, is charged with first-degree murder, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and a firearms offense.
- A criminal complaint describes an ambush near Farragut West; witnesses say the shooter yelled “Allahu Akbar,” tried to reload, and was shot and restrained by a Guard member with assistance from a Secret Service officer.
- Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died of a gunshot to the head; Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains hospitalized in serious condition but has shown small signs of improvement.
- Officials say Lakanwal entered under Operation Allies Welcome and was granted asylum in April 2025; asylum decisions and Afghan visa issuance are paused, and the Pentagon says all Guard members patrolling D.C. are now armed.