BREAKING: An Afghan man, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, has been arrested for a shocking attack that left two National Guard members critically injured just blocks from the White House. The incident occurred on October 25, 2023, around 2:15 p.m., as the troops were patrolling the area.
Witnesses report that Lakanwal, aged 29, opened fire with a .357 Magnum-caliber revolver, hitting Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24. Beckstrom’s father revealed that she suffered a “mortal wound” after being shot in the head and chest. A third guardsman intervened, subduing Lakanwal and preventing further bloodshed.
This alarming attack has sent shockwaves through the community of Bellingham, Washington, where Lakanwal had been living an ordinary life with his hijab-wearing wife and five children. Neighbors described the family’s modest apartment, rented for $2,000 a month, as sparse, with no beds and only “some couch cushions” for sleeping. Despite their humble circumstances, neighbors noted they were quiet and did not attract attention.
The FBI conducted a dramatic raid on Lakanwal’s home approximately 16 hours after the shooting, with one neighbor recounting the chilling moment federal agents kicked down the front door, announcing themselves. “I heard loud banging on the door and guys yelling ‘FBI,'” the neighbor said. “It’s pretty shocking.”
Lakanwal, a former combatant in Afghanistan, entered the United States under the Operation Allies Welcome program following the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Authorities are now scrutinizing how he was vetted for entry into the country. The CIA confirmed that he collaborated with an elite counterterrorism unit in Afghanistan, raising serious questions about security protocols.
As investigations continue, the motive behind this targeted attack remains unclear. Local officials stated that Lakanwal drove cross-country to commit the assault, leading to further speculation about his intentions.
Federal prosecutors have charged him with at least three counts of assault with intent to kill and criminal possession of a weapon. They may seek the death penalty if either victim succumbs to their injuries, as emphasized by Homeland Security Secretary Pam Bondi, who declared, “We will do everything in our power to seek the death penalty against that monster who should not have been in our country.”
Recent reports indicate that Sarah Beckstrom may have died from her injuries, intensifying public outrage and concerns about national security. As this tragic story unfolds, many are left questioning how an individual with such a background was able to launch a deadly attack just steps from the heart of American democracy.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing situation as authorities continue their investigation into this shocking event.
