An Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, accused of a deadly ambush near the White House, pleaded not guilty to all charges in a 17-count federal indictment. The Department of Justice (DOJ) unsealed the indictment on Tuesday, revealing his charges. Lakanwal, who previously worked for the CIA in Afghanistan, faces accusations of killing National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and severely injuring Guardsman Andrew Wolfe in an attack last November.
Prosecutors stated that the charges, including first-degree murder, make this case eligible for the death penalty. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro emphasized the severity of the crime by stating, “Sarah Beckstrom was 20 years old, serving her country in the nation’s capital when she was allegedly executed by Lakanwal steps from the White House.” She labeled it a major offense against the United States, vowing to pursue every legal penalty possible.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office displayed a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver, reported stolen and allegedly used by Lakanwal in the incident, during Tuesday’s proceedings. He appeared in court wearing an orange prison jumpsuit and a skullcap, sitting in a wheelchair as he recovers from injuries sustained during the incident.
Prosecutors informed U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta that the DOJ will begin reviewing whether to pursue the death penalty, with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche making the final decision. Lakanwal faces charges of first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, and two counts of firearm possession during a crime of violence. The next status hearing is scheduled for September 16.
According to court documents, Lakanwal drove from Bellingham, Washington, to the capital, carrying a stolen firearm. He allegedly opened fire on the National Guard members, hitting Beckstrom and Wolfe in the head. Reports indicate two nearby National Guard members subdued him at the scene. The investigators recovered the revolver in question, stolen from Seattle in 2023.
Sarah Beckstrom passed away due to her injuries on Thanksgiving, while Andrew Wolfe is still recovering. Images of both are shown at a memorial near where the shooting occurred, with flowers and American flags honoring their service.
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