Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the 29-year-old Afghan national accused of shooting two members of the West Virginia National Guard, killing one, in Washington, D.C., has been indicted for murder.
Lakanwal, of Bellingham, Washington, appeared before a judge remotely Tuesday from his hospital bed, where he is recovering from gunshot wounds he suffered when another National Guard member shot him during the incident.
Lakanwal was wearing a hospital gown and lying in a hospital bed, covered with a blanket, during the remote court appearance.
Through a Pashtu interpreter, Lakanwal was charged with one count of murder, two counts of assault with intent to kill and one count of possession of a firearm during a violent crime.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal.
US Department of Justice
Lakanwal pleaded not guilty to the charges through a court-appointed attorney.
At one point during the hearing, Lakanwal, speaking in Pashtu, said through the interpreter: “I can’t open my eyes, my ear hurts.”
Lakanwal is accused of shooting the army soldier. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and U.S. Air Force Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, a member of the West Virginia National Guard, who was “ambushed” while conducting “high-visibility patrols” on Nov. 25 just blocks from the White House, authorities said.
Beckstrom died and Wolfe was seriously injured, authorities said.
New details of the attack emerged Tuesday when authorities revealed a criminal complaint against Lakanwal, a married father of five.
Lakanwal, according to the complaint, shot Beckstrom from behind and was trying to reload after he was shot and just before he was subdued. An autopsy performed by the Washington, D.C. Office of the Medical Examiner determined that Beckstrom was shot in the back of the head, according to the complaint.
Wolfe was also shot in the head during the attack, according to the complaint.
Witnesses told investigators that when Beckstrom and Wolfe fell to the ground after being shot, Lakanwal was heard shouting “Allahu Akbar,” an Arabic phrase meaning “God is great,” according to the complaint.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
