Bellingham man who allegedly shot National Guard members charged with murder
The Bellingham man who allegedly shot two National Guard members, one fatally, in Washington, D.C. was charged with first-degree murder in a D.C. court on Tuesday.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, was arrested Thursday in connection to a double-shooting the day prior. Multiple news outlets present at Lakanwal’s first appearance Tuesday reported that he pleaded not guilty to all charges.
According to court records obtained by The Herald, members of the Army National Guard of West Virginia were deputized to D.C. to “act to protect federal property and functions” and “support other federal law enforcement agencies” in the capital.
Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, were two of the National Guard members sent there. While they were on patrol Wednesday, gunfire erupted at about 2:13 p.m., and a major with the National Guard saw Beckstrom and Wolfe fall to the ground. At the same time, court records show the major saw Lakanwal shooting a gun and screaming “Allahu Akbar!”
The major shot Lakanwal, and another major on the scene jumped on Lakanwal while he was on the ground and attempting to reload. He was taken into custody and taken to the hospital. Once he is released from treatment, he will be taken to jail without bond.
Beckstrom and Wolfe were both taken to the hospital in critical condition. Beckstrom was pronounced dead on Thursday, and an autopsy found the cause of death to be a gunshot wound to the head.
Lakanwal has been charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill and two counts of possession of a firearm during crime of violence. His next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 14.