Photo: Alamy
The man accused of shooting two West Virginia National Guard members near the White House last week shouted “Allahu Akbar” as he opened fire with a revolver, according to a newly released criminal affidavit.
“Allahu Akbar,” an Arabic phrase meaning “God is greater,” has frequently been shouted by terrorist attackers who view their actions as jihad and seek to instill fear in others.
The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, is an Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021 after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. He previously served in one of the CIA-backed “Zero Units” and was part of the National Strike Unit tied to the former Afghan government’s National Directorate of Security, according to prior reporting from Just the News.
Lakanwal is accused of shooting Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, who died the following day, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, who remains hospitalized in serious condition.
The Justice Department said in a statement that “Lakanwal drove from his hometown in the state of Washington to Washington, D.C. On Wednesday, November 26, Lakanwal arrived at about 2:13 p.m., at 17th and I Streets, NW, near Farragut West Metro Station, and opened fire on two National Guard members without provocation.”
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.
