Afghan Asylum Seeker Accused in Deadly National Guard Shooting, Radicalization Post-Entry Investigated
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan asylum seeker, is accused of shooting two National Guard members near the White House, with officials investigating his alleged radicalization after entering the U.S. in 2021.
Overview
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, is accused of shooting two National Guard members near the White House last week, resulting in one fatality and one critical injury.
Lakanwal arrived in the U.S. legally in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome during the Biden administration and was granted asylum in April 2021 under the Trump administration.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem believes Lakanwal was radicalized after entering the United States, prompting an active investigation into this potential development.
The shooting tragically killed Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and critically injured Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, with first-degree murder charges anticipated against Lakanwal.
Following the attack, President Trump announced additional restrictions on migrants from 'Third World Countries,' linking the policy change to the incident involving the Afghan suspect.
Analysis
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FAQ
Rahmanullah Lakanwal was a member of a special Afghan Army unit known as a Zero Unit, which was backed by the CIA. He came to the United States in September 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, a program that evacuated and resettled Afghans who had worked alongside U.S. troops and diplomats after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Lakanwal struggled with periods of isolation, erratic behavior, and sudden cross-country drives. Community advocates raised concerns about his mental health, noting he had episodes of isolation and manic behavior, and reached out to refugee organizations for help, fearing he was becoming suicidal.
The FBI is investigating Lakanwal's background, including whether he was radicalized after entering the United States. Officials have not yet revealed a motive for the shooting, but Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem believes he was radicalized post-entry.
Following the attack, President Trump announced additional restrictions on migrants from 'Third World Countries,' linking the policy change to the incident involving Lakanwal. The shooting also prompted increased deployment of National Guard troops to Washington, D.C.
Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom was killed in the attack, and Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe was critically injured. Both were National Guard members serving near the White House.
History
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