Prosecutors Pursue Death Penalty for Suspected National Guard Shooter
WHO:
CBS News - Rahmanullah Lakanwal is the man accused of shooting two National Guard members.
ABC News - Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, was killed in the shooting, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, was critically injured.
ABC News - Lakanwal is an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021 through a Biden administration program.
WHAT:
The New York Times - Lakanwal was arraigned on 17 counts, including first-degree murder, in a new indictment handed up by a federal grand jury.
ABC News - Before the Justice Department announces whether it will seek the death penalty against Lakanwal, his defense attorneys can meet with prosecutors and present any evidence that they believe weighs against a death sentence.
ABC News - A trial date for Lakanwal's case hasn't been scheduled yet.
CBS News - New charges were filed against Lakanwal, making him eligible for the death penalty if convicted.
The New York Times - Lakanwal pleaded not guilty to federal murder charges unveiled by prosecutors.
ABC News - Lakanwal was arraigned on 17 counts, including first-degree murder, in a new indictment.
NY Post - A superseding indictment was issued against Lakanwal that could lead to a death penalty conviction.
WHERE:
ABC News - The shooting occurred near the White House, outside a subway station three blocks away.
ABC News - Lakanwal drove to Washington, D.C., from Bellingham, Washington.
WHEN:
ABC News - The shooting incident occurred in November 2025.
ABC News - Lakanwal is due back in court on September 16.
The New York Times - Lakanwal originally pleaded not guilty in January to nine charges.
WHY:
ABC News - Lakanwal worked with the American government, including the CIA, “as a member of a partner force” in Kandahar, Afghanistan, according to CIA Director John Ratcliffe.
ABC News - The Justice Department is considering the death penalty based on the severity of the charges and the nature of the crime.
HOW:
The New York Times - During a hearing before Judge Amit P. Mehta, a government lawyer stated that the Justice Department had started the process of determining whether to seek the death penalty, which involves reviewing evidence and consulting with the U.S. attorney’s office.
The New York Times - The Justice Department is reviewing evidence and consulting with the U.S. attorney’s office to determine whether to seek the death penalty.
ABC News - Lakanwal is accused of ambushing the two National Guard members while in possession of a stolen firearm and shouting “Allahu Akbar!” during the attack.
(UPDATED June 17, 2026 04:22 UTC)
Lakanwal has been arraigned on 17 counts, including first-degree murder, in a new indictment from a federal grand jury. Before the Justice Department decides whether to pursue the death penalty, his defense attorneys will have the opportunity to meet with prosecutors and present evidence against such a sentence, although a trial date has not yet been set. Lakanwal previously worked with the American government, including the CIA, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, as noted by CIA Director John Ratcliffe.
--
(UPDATED June 16, 2026 23:25 UTC)
Rahmanullah Lakanwal is accused of shooting two National Guard members near the White House, resulting in the death of Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and critical injuries to Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe. Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021, has been arraigned on 17 counts, including first-degree murder, and faces the possibility of the death penalty if convicted, with his next court appearance scheduled for September 16. The Justice Department is currently reviewing evidence to determine whether to pursue the death penalty, as Lakanwal allegedly ambushed the soldiers while armed with a stolen firearm and shouted “Allahu Akbar!” during the attack.