National Guard Shooting Suspect Faces First-Degree Murder Charge/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Charges have been upgraded to first-degree murder against the suspect accused of shooting two National Guard soldiers in Washington, D.C. The new charge follows the death of 20-year-old Specialist Sarah Beckstrom. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro called the incident an “ambush-style” attack.
DC National Guard Shooting: Quick Looks
- Charges upgraded to first-degree murder after one soldier’s death
- Suspect Rahmanullah Lakanwal allegedly opened fire with a revolver
- Victims identified as Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24
- Beckstrom died Thursday, prompting the murder charge
- Three additional charges of firearm possession during a violent crime
- Two counts of assault with intent to kill remain
- U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced the upgrade Friday
- Motive remains unclear, investigation ongoing
- Shooting occurred Wednesday afternoon in D.C.
- Lakanwal allegedly drove cross-country to launch the attack
Deep Look: Charges Upgraded in National Guard Shooting Case
WASHINGTON (AP) — The man accused of ambushing two National Guard members in Washington, D.C. is now facing a first-degree murder charge, federal prosecutors announced Friday, after one of the victims succumbed to her injuries.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro for the District of Columbia confirmed that the suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, now faces one count of first-degree murder, following the death of 20-year-old Specialist Sarah Beckstrom. Beckstrom and 24-year-old Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe were both critically injured in a Wednesday afternoon shooting that drew national attention.
President Donald Trump publicly revealed Thursday night that Beckstrom had died, just hours after speaking to U.S. troops on Thanksgiving. Her death led prosecutors to swiftly upgrade charges against the accused gunman.
Details of the Attack
According to Pirro, Lakanwal traveled across the country before executing what she described as an “ambush-style attack” on the two service members. He allegedly used a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver in the shooting.
The suspect initially faced two charges:
- Assault with intent to kill while armed
- Possession of a firearm during a crime of violence
With Beckstrom’s death, the charges now include:
- One count of first-degree murder
- Three counts of firearm possession during a violent crime
- Two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed
Pirro emphasized that the motive behind the shooting remains unclear, adding that it’s “too soon to say” what drove the suspect to commit the attack. However, she confirmed that investigators are continuing to look into the suspect’s background and travel history in hopes of uncovering a clearer motive.
Victims Identified
- Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died Thursday from gunshot injuries sustained in the attack. She had been in critical condition since the incident.
- Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains hospitalized and in serious condition, according to officials.
Both soldiers were on active duty and deployed as part of a domestic security operation in the capital.
Federal Response and Public Reaction
This violent incident has raised concerns about the safety of National Guard personnel stationed domestically, especially in high-profile regions like Washington, D.C. Federal officials, including the Department of Defense and Homeland Security, are reportedly reviewing protocols related to the protection of service members on public patrol.
The case has also drawn political commentary due to Lakanwal’s background and the broader immigration policy debate, though prosecutors have not linked the attack to any broader conspiracy or ideology at this time.
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