National Guard Shooting Suspect Pleads Not Guilty to New Charges That Could Carry the Death Penalty

The man accused of opening fire on two National Guard members near the White House has pleaded not guilty to a new set of federal charges, marking another significant development in a case that shocked Washington, D.C.

Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, appeared in federal court on June 16, 2026, after a grand jury returned a new indictment containing 17 counts, including first-degree murder. The charges make him eligible for the death penalty if he is convicted, although prosecutors must still determine whether to seek that punishment.

The shooting occurred on November 26, 2025, near the Farragut West Metro station, just blocks from the White House. The two West Virginia National Guard members, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, were attacked while deployed in the nation’s capital.

Beckstrom died from her injuries, while Wolfe was critically wounded. The attack prompted a major investigation and raised serious concerns about the safety of military personnel serving in public spaces.

According to prosecutors, Lakanwal allegedly traveled across the country from Washington state to carry out the attack. Investigators have alleged that he ambushed the two service members, but those accusations have yet to be proven in court.

Lakanwal entered the United States in 2021 through a program established to resettle Afghans following the American withdrawal from Afghanistan. Before coming to the country, he had worked alongside U.S. government forces in Afghanistan, according to officials.

The case has attracted widespread attention because of the location of the shooting, the death of a young service member, and the possibility of a capital sentence. The new indictment adds further legal pressure as the proceedings move forward.

Lakanwal has maintained his not-guilty plea. The case remains ongoing, and the charges against him must be established through the federal court process.

Source: Yahoo News, reporting by The Associated Press