Fatal Shooting Near White House: Afghan Man Charged with Murder and Facing Death Penalty
An Afghan man has been charged with murder and other offenses for allegedly shooting two National Guard members near the White House. Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, is facing these charges in Washington D.C. Superior Court. The Department of Justice is seeking the death penalty in this case, as confirmed by Attorney General Pam Bondi.
The shooting incident occurred near Farragut West Station, close to the White House, where U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe was injured and U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom was killed. Lakanwal, who was also injured during the confrontation, is currently hospitalized. This incident has shocked Washington and raised concerns about the vetting process for individuals entering the country.
Lakanwal legally entered the United States in September 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, a program initiated by the Biden administration for Afghan evacuation and resettlement. He had his asylum application approved in April 2025 during the Trump administration. Lakanwal had served in Afghanistan with NDS-03, a unit operated by the CIA with U.S. intelligence and military support.
Members of these elite Afghan units were rigorously vetted and trained by the CIA to carry out counterterrorism missions against groups like the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Some individuals from these units may have experienced trauma from years of conflict, but it is unclear if this influenced Lakanwal's actions in the U.S.
The investigation into this incident is ongoing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available. This report includes contributions from Fox News reporters David Spunt, Jake Gibson, William Mears, Greg Wehner, and The Associated Press.