National Guard Shooting Suspect Pleads Not Guilty to Murder and Assault Charges

Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the alleged gunman in the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in addition to murder. Lakanwal submitted the plea through his attorney while appearing in court via video call from a hospital bed, according to The Associated Press.

Lakanwal, 29, is accused of shooting Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, who succumbed to her wounds on Thursday, Nov. 27; and Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, who was hospitalized in critical condition following the attack on Wednesday, Nov. 26. They both served as members of the West Virginia National Guard and were deployed to Washington, D.C. last week as part of orders issued by President Donald Trump in August to send National Guard troops to the city to combat an alleged spike in crime.

According to NBC News, Lakanwal is to be held without bond on orders from a judge. Superior Court Magistrate Judge Renee Raymond reportedly described the government’s case against Lakanwal as “exceedingly strong,” stating, “That there’s video footage of him waiting in broad daylight while armed, and then upon seeing a contingent of law enforcement officers including the slain and injured national guard persons, he went in their direction, and he started shooting at them. That goes again to the strength of the government’s case.”

Lakanwal has been identified as an Afghan national who at one point worked with the CIA in one of its paramilitary groups, also known as “Zero Units.” In 2021, he was granted asylum under the Operation Allies Welcome program, which initially gave him temporary parole status. His application for asylum was approved in April 2025. Authorities said Lakanwal drove across the country from Bellingham, Washington, where he resided with his wife and five children, to commit the alleged attack, which occurred near the White House.

In an interview with Fox News last week, Attorney General Pam Bondi said that authorities will pursue the death penalty in the case.