In a heartbreaking incident that has shocked the nation, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, has announced that charges against Rahmanullah Lakanwal have been upgraded to first-degree murder. This update comes following the unfortunate death of 20-year-old Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, who was one of two National Guard members shot in Washington, D.C., this Wednesday.
Beckstrom died in a local medical facility, and her death adds a tragic layer to the events surrounding the incident, which occurred during an ambush-style attack allegedly orchestrated by Lakanwal, 29. Alongside the murder charge, he now faces additional counts including possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime and two counts of assault with intent to kill.
Lakanwal emigrated to the U.S. from Afghanistan in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, a program that aided Afghan allies following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. He has resided in Bellingham, Washington, with his wife and five children. Sources indicate that Lakanwal previously served in a CIA-backed Afghan Army unit in Kandahar, where he advanced from a security guard to a team leader.
This incident raises important questions about the community's ability to effectively integrate immigrants and offers a stark reminder of the potential psychological impacts of serving in combat zones. As the investigation continues, families and communities seek answers and justice amid this tragic loss.
