A man accused of shooting two National Guard members near the White House has pleaded not guilty. Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old man from Afghanistan, appeared in court via video from his hospital bed.
Lakanwal is charged with the murder of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and the assault of Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24.
According to police reports, Lakanwal shouted “Allahu Akbar!” during the attack. He was stopped by other Guard members as he tried to reload his weapon.
A judge has ordered Lakanwal to be held without bail.
Beckstrom and Wolfe were in Washington, D.C., as part of a law enforcement surge that began during President Trump’s administration.
Prosecutors are calling the shooting a “shocking crime” and believe Lakanwal traveled to Washington with a specific purpose.
Lakanwal’s lawyer says he has no previous criminal record.
The shooting has sparked debate about immigration policies. Lakanwal entered the U.S. in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, a program that resettled Afghans after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. While he applied for asylum during the current administration, reports indicate his asylum was approved under the previous administration.
Former President Trump has called the shooting a “terrorist attack” and criticized current immigration policies. He has long advocated for stricter border controls and a more cautious approach to immigration from certain countries, arguing that national security should be the top priority.
