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Investigators are working to determine what led a man to allegedly attack two West Virginia National Guard members near the White House last week, killing one and critically injuring the other. Officials said Monday that the surviving soldier is beginning to show encouraging signs of progress.
Authorities say the suspect, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal of Bellingham, Washington, drove across the country before the Thanksgiving Eve shooting. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, were on patrol when they were attacked. Beckstrom died following the shooting, while Wolfe was hospitalized in critical condition.
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey said Wolfe remains in serious condition but is “fighting for his life.” Morrisey told reporters that Wolfe responded to a nurse’s request for a thumbs-up and later moved his toes, calling both “positive signs.”
At weekend vigils across West Virginia, residents honored both service members. Morrisey described Beckstrom as “an amazing woman who lifted up people around her with a smile,” sharing that conversations with her parents and Guard members all reflected “incredible things to say about Sarah.”
Lakanwal has been charged with first-degree murder, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said Friday that charges would be upgraded and expanded as the investigation continues. Lakanwal was hospitalized after being shot by a Guard member who returned fire.
Sources said Lakanwal served with the Zero Unit, a CIA-linked team that worked with Joint Special Operations Command on counterterrorism missions. He was considered a trusted member of the group, several officials said.
“The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen, with both being critically wounded, and now in two separate hospitals, is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price. God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement. These are truly Great People. I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!” the president wrote in a Truth Social post on Wednesday following the shooting.
President Trump also wrote on Thursday night that, “This is part of the horrendous airlift from Afghanistan. Hundreds of thousands of people poured into our Country totally unvetted and unchecked. We will fix it, but will never forget what Crooked Joe Biden and his Thugs did to our Country!”
