A brazen daytime shooting in Washington D.C. by an Afghan national tragically killed National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and critically injured Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan refugee with past ties to the CIA, carried out an 'ambush-style' attack, sparking urgent questions about his motive and the refugee vetting process.
A shocking daytime shooting in Washington D.C. has resulted in the death of National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and left Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, in critical condition. Both members of the West Virginia National Guard were deployed to the capital as part of President Donald Trump's crime-fighting mission. The suspect, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, an Afghan national, is in custody. Authorities state Lakanwal drove across the country to launch an 'ambush-style' attack with a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver, immediately opening fire on the troops. At least one Guard member returned fire, and troops eventually held down the shooter. Lakanwal entered the U.S. in 2021 via Operation Allies Welcome, a Biden administration program for Afghan refugees, and his asylum was approved under the Trump administration. He previously worked with the U.S. government, including the CIA, as a member of a partner force in Kandahar, specifically the 'Zero Units' – paramilitary units backed by the CIA. He had been residing in Washington state with his wife and five children. While Lakanwal's wounds are not life-threatening, his motive for the attack remains unclear. He faces charges of assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm, with charges expected to be upgraded to first-degree murder following Beckstrom's death. The incident has intensified scrutiny over the vetting process for Afghan refugees. In response, President Trump announced an additional 500 National Guard troops would be sent to Washington, D.C.
