The case surrounding the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., has taken a dramatic turn, with new federal charges now potentially paving the way for the ultimate punishment.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the Afghan national accused in the November 26th attack, faces charges of transporting a firearm across state lines with the intent to commit a serious crime, and possessing a stolen weapon. These charges shift the legal landscape, allowing for a thorough consideration of the death penalty.
The attack claimed the life of 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom, leaving her family devastated as they navigate the holidays without her. Andrew Wolfe, the other victim, survived but faces a long and arduous recovery, forever marked by the violence.
Investigators have traced the weapon used in the shooting to a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver stolen from a home in Seattle, Washington, back in May 2023. The trail led them to an individual who admitted to providing the firearm to Lakanwal, believing he needed it for self-defense while working as a rideshare driver.
Just a day after receiving the stolen revolver, Lakanwal purchased a box of .357 caliber ammunition from a sporting goods store. This purchase was followed by a series of chilling online searches, revealing a deliberate focus on Washington, D.C.
According to an FBI affidavit, Lakanwal searched for “Washington, D.C.” on Google Maps just hours after acquiring the ammunition. The following day, his search honed in on a specific location: “The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500.”
The shooting itself occurred just two blocks from the White House, a detail that underscores the proximity of the attack to a symbol of American power and the calculated nature of Lakanwal’s actions. The Department of Justice has already signaled its intention to pursue the death penalty in this case.
Lakanwal also remains charged with first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill, and multiple firearm offenses under D.C. law, ensuring a comprehensive legal pursuit of justice for the victims and their families.
