Federal prosecutors announced Tuesday they will seek the death penalty for an Afghan national charged with killing a National Guard soldier and gravely wounding a second on Thanksgiving Day last year in Washington, D.C.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, appeared in federal court Tuesday in a wheelchair and orange jumpsuit, blinking rapidly and muttering to himself, according to witnesses. A superseding indictment filed by prosecutors includes 17 counts, several of which carry the potential for capital punishment if he is convicted.
The new charges, reported by The New York Post, include first-degree armed premeditated murder of a National Guard member, attempted murder of three others, assault with intent to kill, transportation of a firearm across state lines to commit a felony, and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence.
Lakanwal is accused of ambushing Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, near the Farragut West Metro Station close to the White House on Nov. 26, 2025. Prosecutors allege he shot both soldiers in the head with a stolen .357 Magnum Smith & Wesson revolver.
Beckstrom died the following day, Thanksgiving, from her injuries. She had volunteered to work the holiday so fellow guardsmen with children could spend the day with their families. Wolfe recovered from his wounds and later appeared at President Trump’s State of the Union address.
Lakanwal drove cross-country from his home state of Washington to carry out the attack, according to the indictment. He was subdued at the scene by two nearby National Guardsmen who shot and stabbed him.
A former Afghan special forces soldier, Lakanwal came to the United States as a refugee. He was originally indicted on murder, assault, and weapons charges that did not make him eligible for the death penalty. Prosecutors had previously indicated they intended to bring additional charges that would open the door to capital punishment.
Lakanwal has pleaded not guilty.
