Bellingham officials respond to news of local ties to D.C. shooting

Officials with the city of Bellingham issued statements Thursday afternoon in response to news that a Bellingham man is in custody following the shooting of two National Guard members Wednesday in Washington, D.C.

The suspect has been identified as a 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal.

One of the National Guard members died Thursday. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, succumbed to her wounds, President Donald Trump told service members by video.

Authorities are still trying to understand the motives of the suspect, an Afghan man who once served in an anti-Taliban force supported by the CIA, according to reporting by The New York Times.

Authorities said Lakanwal had driven across the country from Washington to carry out the attack. Officials said the other guard member who was shot, Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, remained in critical condition Thursday after undergoing surgery, according to The Times.

The FBI conducted a search of a Bellingham apartment complex where Lakanwal lives, along with his wife and five children, on Thursday. The search included the seizure of phones and other devices, FBI Director Kash Patel said during a press conference Thursday in Washington, D.C.

Bellingham Police Department Chief Rebecca Mertzig issued the following statement Thursday in an email to The Bellingham Herald:

“Our hearts are heavy for the two West Virginia National Guard members who were shot while on active duty yesterday in Washington, D.C. We stand with them, their loved ones, and all the National Guard members across the nation.

Violence like this is horrific and unacceptable. As soon as I was notified of the situation investigation and the possible connection to Bellingham, I called our local FBI partners to offer Bellingham Police Department’s assistance with their criminal investigation of this case. We are closely monitoring the situation for any updates.

People who serve and protect our communities, like the two wounded West Virginia National Guard members, represent the best of what we strive for, and we honor their service, sacrifice, and courage.”

Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund issued the following statement Thursday in the same email:

“It takes courage to say yes to the job of protecting fellow community members and protecting our country. We honor the courage of the two National Guard members who were wounded in service yesterday. There is no excuse for the heinous, violent attack they suffered.

We are holding them and their loved ones in our hearts today, wishing them a full return to health.

As mayor of Bellingham, I am directing local resources to be ready to support the FBI’s investigation. We share the resolve to see justice and accountability for this violent attack.

The terrible actions committed in Washington, D.C. yesterday are the actions of one person, not a community. They don’t represent Bellingham’s values. They don’t reflect the values of either Washington. They don’t represent what makes our communities great.”

This story was originally published November 27, 2025 at 1:10 PM.