Afghan Asylum Seeker Accused in Fatal White House Area Shooting of National Guard Members
Afghan asylum seeker Rahmanullah Lakanwal is accused of fatally shooting a National Guard member and injuring another near the White House last week.
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New York Daily News
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Washington Examiner
Overview
- Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, is accused of shooting two National Guard members near the White House in Washington, D.C., last week, leading to a tragic incident.
- The shooting resulted in the death of Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and critically injured Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, who is currently hospitalized after the attack.
- Lakanwal had a history of working with the U.S. government and the CIA in Kandahar, serving as part of a vetted strike unit before his involvement in Afghanistan.
- He was granted asylum in the United States in April 2021 under the Trump administration, a key detail in understanding his presence in the country.
- Authorities are actively investigating whether Lakanwal was radicalized after his arrival in the U.S., with first-degree murder charges anticipated in connection with the shooting.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover this story neutrally by presenting the Trump administration's claims regarding the shooting suspect's radicalization and vetting, while simultaneously providing substantial counter-evidence and expert opinions. They actively challenge the administration's narrative by including facts about the suspect's asylum timeline and the comprehensive vetting processes, ensuring a balanced and comprehensive report for the audience.
"Noem alleged without evidence that as many as 100,000 Afghan people who came to the United States in 2021 as part of the evacuation plan "may be here to do us harm" and said Trump was "dedicated to getting them out of our country.""
USA TODAY"The White House has blamed policies of former President Joe Biden's administration for allowing Lakanwal to enter the U.S."
CBS News"The processes put in place were put in place using information that was gathered during the application process."
ABC News"The individuals who are here in this country on that program need to be vetted under our standards that we’re implementing under President Trump to ensure that they even should be in our country, and if they’re not, removed immediately."
NBC NewsArticles (9)
Center (4)
FAQ
Rahmanullah Lakanwal worked with the U.S. government, including the CIA, in Afghanistan as part of a vetted strike unit in Kandahar before the U.S. withdrawal in 2021.
Lakanwal entered the U.S. in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome and was granted asylum in April 2025 by the Trump administration, following a special immigrant visa due to his work with U.S. agencies.
Authorities are actively investigating whether Lakanwal was radicalized after arriving in the U.S., but no definitive motive has been released yet. First-degree murder charges are anticipated.
Following the shooting, 500 additional National Guard troops were deployed to Washington, D.C., to bolster security amid ongoing investigations and legal proceedings.
Officials have stated that Lakanwal was vetted by U.S. agencies, including the National Counterterrorism Center, and was found to be 'clean on all checks.' However, there is ongoing debate about the thoroughness of the vetting process for Afghan refugees and asylum seekers.
History
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