Overview
- Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, entered a not guilty plea by video to first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill while armed, and firearms charges after the Nov. 26 shooting near the White House.
- Magistrate Judge Renee Raymond ordered him held without bond, noting allegations he traveled 3,000 miles to carry out the attack and citing the strength of the government’s case.
- Charging documents describe an ambush in which witnesses say the gunman shouted “Allahu akbar,” shot the Guardsmen in the head, attempted to reload, and was then shot and subdued by other service members; surveillance images were included.
- Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died of her injuries, while Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains hospitalized in serious condition with small signs of improvement reported by West Virginia officials.
- Officials say Lakanwal arrived in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome after serving with a CIA-backed unit, gained asylum in April 2025, is under FBI review for potential terrorism ties, and faces a Justice Department intent to seek the death penalty.