In brief
Following the death of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, the charges against Rahmanullah Lakanwal have been escalated to first-degree murder. The 29-year-old allegedly committed an ambush-style attack on National Guard members using a .357 revolver. Lakanwal had served in a CIA-backed Afghan Army unit prior to immigrating to the U.S. and is currently facing multiple counts related to the attack.
WASHINGTON — The U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, announced on Friday that charges against Rahmanullah Lakanwal have been upgraded to first-degree murder after the tragic death of one of the two National Guard members he allegedly shot. Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, was pronounced dead after being critically injured in the ambush-style attack that took place on Wednesday, while Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains hospitalized in critical condition.Lakanwal, 29, who entered the U.S. as part of the Biden administration's Operation Allies Welcome, faces severe charges including one count of first-degree murder, three counts of firearm possession during a crime of violence, and two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed. Federal authorities have indicated that the motives behind Lakanwal's attack are still unclear.Reportedly, individuals familiar with Lakanwal indicated that he previously served in a CIA-backed Afghan Army unit before immigrating to the United States, where he has lived in Bellingham, Washington, with his family. Witnesses describe the incident as an ambush, raising serious concerns about security and immigration policies as the investigation continues.
