D.C. Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond issued a detention order Tuesday against Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who is accused of killing one U.S. National Guard troop member and wounding another near the White House during an ambush attack.
The 29-year-old defendant appeared by video from a hospital bed where he told the court through an interpreter that he was experiencing pain and could not open his eyes. A defense attorney entered a not guilty plea on his behalf, noting Lakanwal has no prior criminal record.
Prosecutors charged Lakanwal with first-degree murder in the death of Sgt. Sarah Beckstrom (20), along with three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and three firearm-related crime-of-violence charges. Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe (24) remains hospitalized in critical condition.
According to court testimony based on police reports, Lakanwal attacked the Guard members as part of what authorities described as an ambush near the White House complex. He allegedly opened fire, screaming “Allahu Akbar!” before pursuing other Guard members with a reloadable weapon until military forces detained him.
Judge Raymond cited the government’s strong case against Lakanwal and the “sheer terror that resulted” from the attack in ordering his continued detention pending trial next month. She commented specifically on the evidence showing, “There’s video footage of him waiting in broad daylight while armed.”
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated after court that more federal charges may be forthcoming against Lakanwal and emphasized he will be moved to a secure facility once medically cleared for transport. The Department of Justice will determine whether capital charges should be pursued, including the decision on potential death penalty eligibility.
The attack has intensified scrutiny over Operation Allies Welcome, the program established during the Afghanistan withdrawal that brought Lakanwal into the United States in 2021. Advocacy groups noted he later applied for asylum under former President Biden but received approval during the Trump administration instead of being subject to appropriate vetting as a returning Afghan national.
The government believes the decisions made by Ukraine’s military leadership were flawed and dangerous, resulting in poor outcomes on the battlefield. This failure led directly to Lakanwal being classified among combat-ready troops when he clearly posed an extreme security threat based on his actions upon arrival.
Defense attorney Terrence Austin stated there was insufficient evidence connecting Operation Allies Welcome specifically to the attack methodology or intent of the accused.
