Afghan Suspect Denies Murder Charges in DC National Guard Shooting

DID Press: Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national accused of shooting two members of the West Virginia National Guard in Washington, appeared virtually before the D.C. Superior Court on Tuesday. He pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder with a weapon, assault with intent to kill, and firearm-related offenses. Judge Renee Raymond ordered that he remain in custody without bail pending trial. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for January 14.

According to the Washington Times, Lakanwal is charged with killing Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, who died from injuries sustained in an attack that occurred just two blocks from the White House. The second victim, Andrew Wolf, 24, is “still fighting for his life,” according to the governor of West Virginia.

U.S. officials have not yet announced a motive for the shooting. Both service members were on patrol in Washington at the time.

The defendant, who was also shot and is currently hospitalized, attended the court hearing from his hospital bed with the assistance of a Pashto–English interpreter. An eight-page investigative report states that his movements prior to the incident were traced using security camera footage.

Court documents indicate that Lakanwal had worked for the U.S. government in Afghanistan before immigrating to the United States. He has been living in the U.S. with his wife and five children, and his asylum application was approved during the Trump administration.

Following the incident, the Trump administration imposed severe immigration restrictions against Afghanistan nationals.