Archive · 3 Dec 2025
Afghan Shooter Pleads Not Guilty
An Afghan man named Rahmanullah Lakanwal is accused of shooting two National Guard members near the White House.
One of them, Sarah Beckstrom, died, and the other, Andrew Wolfe, is still very sick in the hospital.
Lakanwal was hurt during the shooting and is in the hospital too.
He said he is not guilty of the charges.
The shooting happened on Friday, November 26, and Lakanwal traveled from Washington state to do it.
The president talked about the guardsmen and said he spoke to their families.
Investigators are still trying to find out why Lakanwal did this.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, pleaded not guilty to murder and assault charges in the shooting of two National Guard members near the White House.
Lakanwal, an Afghan national, was injured during the attack and appeared in court via video from his hospital bed.
The shooting occurred on Friday, November 26, near the Farragut West Metro station, a few blocks from the White House.
Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died from her injuries the day after the shooting, while Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in serious condition.
President Donald Trump expressed his condolences and spoke with the families of the victims, stating that Wolfe's recovery would be a miracle.
- Who
- Rahmanullah Lakanwal, Andrew Wolfe, Sarah Beckstrom
- What
- Shooting near the White House, plea of not guilty
- When
- Friday, November 26 (shooting), Tuesday (plea)
- Where
- Washington, D.C.
- Why
- Unknown motive, but Lakanwal was radicalized after moving to the U.S. in 2021
- Survivor's Name
- Andrew Wolfe
- Survivor's Age
- 24
- Survivor's Condition
- Serious
- Deceased Guardsman's Name
- Sarah Beckstrom
- Deceased Guardsman's Age
- 20
- Shooter's Name
- Rahmanullah Lakanwal
- Shooter's Age
- 29
- Shooter's Nationality
- Afghan
- Shooter's Plea
- Not Guilty
- Shooting Location
- Near the White House, Washington, D.C.
- Shooting Date
- Friday, November 26
- Charges
- First-degree murder and assault
Sources
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