Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to charges of first-degree murder and assault in connection with a shooting that killed one National Guard member and wounded another in downtown Washington, DC.
The incident occurred on November 26 when Lakanwal allegedly opened fire on two deployed National Guard soldiers near the White House area, killing 20-year-old Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and critically injuring 24-year-old Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe.
Appearing via video link from a hospital bed where he is recovering from multiple gunshot wounds sustained during the incident, Lakanwal struggled to keep his eyes open and spoke through a Pashto interpreter.
His attorney entered not guilty pleas on his behalf to all counts, including premeditated murder while armed.
DC Superior Court Magistrate Judge Renee Raymond ordered Lakanwal held without bond, citing the attack's creation of “sheer terror” in the capital and evidence that he traveled approximately 3,000 miles from Washington state with a specific purpose.
The judge stated no conditions could reasonably assure community safety.
Prosecutors allege Lakanwal yelled “Allahu Akbar”, meaning “God is greatest,” as he opened fire on the soldiers while they were on patrol as part of an anti-crime deployment ordered by the Trump administration.
Surveillance footage described in court documents reportedly shows Lakanwal running toward the victims, firing, and then chasing and shooting at another witness.
Lakanwal, who previously served with a CIA-trained unit in Afghanistan and was evacuated to the United States after the 2021 withdrawal, had been living in Washington state with family.
His next court appearance is scheduled for January 14.