Afghan National Accused in Ambush Killing of National Guard Member Near White House Is Indicted on Additional Federal Charges

WASHINGTON - Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 30, an Afghan national accused in the November ambush shooting of National Guardsmen near the White House, was charged today in a 17-count Superseding Indictment filed in U.S. District Court, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

Specialist Sarah Beckstrom was killed in the shooting. Sgt. Andrew Wolfe was seriously injured. Two additional Guardsmen were wounded in the attack.

"Sarah Beckstrom was 20 years old, serving her country in the nation's capital, when Rahmanullah Lakanwal allegedly drove across the country and executed her in cold blood steps from the White House," said U.S. Attorney Pirro. "That is not just a crime, it is a major offense against the United States. We will pursue every penalty the law permits as we seek justice for Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe."

The new charges involving the murder of Beckstrom are eligible for the imposition of the death penalty. The grand jury also returned several special findings that will trigger review by the Department of Justice's Capital Case Committee to determine whether the Department will seek the death penalty.

Lakanwal was arraigned on the Superseding Indictment today before U.S. District Court Judge Amit P. Mehta.

Lakanwal remains charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, in violation of the D.C. Code.

According to court documents, Lakanwal allegedly drove his Toyota Prius from his home in Bellingham, Washington, to the District of Columbia, while in possession of a stolen firearm.

On November 26, at about 2:13 p.m., Lakanwal opened fire without provocation at 17th and I Streets, NW, near the Farragut West Metro Station, shooting Beckstrom and Wolfe in their heads. Two officers in the National Guard who were nearby subdued the suspect.

At the scene, investigators recovered a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver that had been reported stolen in Seattle in 2023. 

Beckstrom, who was serving in the West Virginia National Guard, succumbed to her injuries on Thanksgiving, November 27. Guardsman Andrew Wolfe, 25, of Martinsburg, W. Va., continues to recover from his injuries.

Joining the U.S. Attorney in the announcement were FBI Assistant Director in Charge Darren B. Cox and Interim Chief Jeffery W. Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.

This case is being investigated by the FBI's Washington Field Office and the Metropolitan Police Department. The matter is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.

The charges in an Indictment are merely allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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