Prosecutors Vow to Seek Death Penalty in Shooting of National Guard Troops in DC

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A Shocking Attack Near the White House

Washington, DC — Federal prosecutors announced Thursday that they will pursue the death penalty against a man accused of ambushing two National Guard members in a daylight shooting just steps away from the White House. The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, allegedly opened fire on two West Virginia National Guard soldiers assigned to duty in the capital, leaving both victims in critical condition.

The incident, which occurred around 2:15 p.m. ET on Wednesday near Lafayette Square, sent panic through one of the most heavily guarded areas in the United States. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as pedestrians scrambled for cover amid gunfire in an area frequented by tourists, federal employees, and security forces.

The two victims, 20-year-old Private First Class Sarah Beckstrom and 24-year-old Specialist Andrew Wolfe, sustained life-threatening injuries. Both were rushed to George Washington University Hospital for emergency surgery. Beckstrom’s father later told reporters that her injuries were “a mortal wound,” expressing fading hope for her survival.

Prosecutors Announce Capital Charges

U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro condemned the shooting as a deliberate strike against American servicemembers. “This was a targeted attack,” Pirro said during a press briefing. “It’s a direct challenge to law and order in our nation’s capital.”

Federal prosecutors charged Lakanwal with multiple counts, including assault with intent to kill and unlawful possession of a firearm. Each charge carries up to 15 years in prison, though officials stated that if either victim dies, the charges will escalate to first-degree murder, triggering eligibility for the federal death penalty.

Attorney General Pam Bondi vowed swift justice, calling the shooting “a heinous and deliberate act.” She stated that the Department of Justice will “do everything in our power to seek the death penalty,” citing the attack as an act of domestic terrorism.

A Terrorism Probe Underway

The FBI quickly took over the investigation, deploying counterterrorism agents and analysts to Washington, DC. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that a terrorism task force is now leading the probe, with assistance from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Metropolitan Police Department.

Investigators believe Lakanwal drove cross-country from Washington state before carrying out the ambush. Law enforcement sources revealed that the suspect had no prior criminal record but was reportedly on the FBI’s radar for “unexplained travel patterns” in recent months. His motive, however, remains unclear.

President Trump, addressing reporters outside the White House, characterized the crime as an “act of terror” and pledged federal coordination to bring “every detail to light.” The administration has ordered a full security review of the protocols protecting active-duty and National Guard personnel stationed in the city.

Background on the Suspect

Lakanwal’s presence in the United States has already sparked intense scrutiny. Born in Afghanistan, he arrived in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, a resettlement initiative launched to assist Afghans who worked alongside U.S. forces during the withdrawal from Kabul.

Before immigrating, Lakanwal served in the National Directorate of Security’s elite NDS-03 special forces and had worked with CIA counterterrorism units during the height of the Afghan war. Intelligence officials confirmed that he underwent initial vetting before arrival but declined to comment on whether additional risk assessments were conducted after his asylum approval in April 2024.

Former CIA Director John Ratcliffe described the incident as evidence of failures in the post-withdrawal immigration process. “This individual — and so many others — should have never been allowed to come here,” Ratcliffe said. “Citizens and servicemembers deserve better than the fallout from past failures.”

Officials Review Immigration Vetting Procedures

In the wake of the attack, the Department of Homeland Security announced a temporary freeze on new Afghan immigration applications while it reassesses its screening and vetting protocols. DHS Secretary Chad Wolf stated that ongoing reviews will focus on applicants with military or intelligence ties to ensure “the integrity of national security standards is maintained at every level.”

The move has prompted mixed reactions among lawmakers and veterans’ groups. Some expressed frustration over perceived gaps in security that allow high-risk individuals to enter the country, while others cautioned against broad restrictions that might endanger former U.S. allies still in Afghanistan.

Immigration advocates called for transparency, noting that tens of thousands of Afghan interpreters and intelligence officers remain stranded abroad due to bureaucratic backlogs.

The Victims and Military Response

Beckstrom and Wolfe were part of a National Guard detachment assisting federal law enforcement with crowd control and infrastructure protection near federal grounds. The two had been on a routine patrol when the shots were fired.

Military officials described both soldiers as disciplined and dedicated. Maj. Gen. James Hoyer of the West Virginia National Guard stated that “their service represents the best of us — the courageous young men and women who stand watch while most Americans go about their daily lives.”

The National Guard has since increased armed security around its personnel in the capital. Commanders have also coordinated with the Secret Service and U.S. Capitol Police to assess any potential threats to uniformed service members working in public areas.

Heightened Security Across Washington

Following the shooting, security zones around sensitive landmarks in central Washington were expanded. Armed National Guard patrols now stand alongside federal agents, and Lafayette Park remains closed to the public as investigators comb for additional evidence.

Residents have expressed concern over the growing militarization of the downtown district. “It feels like a war zone lately,” said Andrea Gutierrez, a local shop owner near 17th Street. “You see soldiers, barriers, checkpoints—but you never expect something like this to actually happen here.”

Authorities emphasized that the attack appears isolated. Still, counterterrorism officials are reviewing whether Lakanwal communicated with others or received external support before the assault. So far, no additional suspects have been identified.

Political Tensions and Rhetoric

The violence has also reignited debate over rhetoric directed at U.S. service members and military deployments across American cities. Attorney General Bondi criticized what she described as “reckless language” from commentators and public figures that “demonize the people sworn to protect us.”

Though officials avoided direct accusations, Bondi said investigators will explore any online or public communications that may have encouraged anti-military sentiments leading up to the shooting. Her remarks highlighted growing divisions over the role of federal troops in domestic operations.

Historical Context and National Response

Attacks against uniformed personnel on U.S. soil are rare but not unprecedented. In 2009, a gunman killed one soldier and wounded another at a military recruiting station in Arkansas, an event later classified as domestic terrorism. In 2015, a series of attacks targeting military facilities in Tennessee claimed five service members’ lives.

Like those incidents, the Washington attack underscores persistent challenges in identifying isolated actors capable of inflicting mass harm. Experts note that the blend of military expertise and ideological radicalization presents complex security risks, particularly among individuals with combat training.

Law enforcement analysts are now scrutinizing how the suspect’s background — as both an American ally abroad and a potential threat at home — might reshape federal screening and monitoring systems for foreign military veterans resettled in the United States.

Economic and Diplomatic Implications

Beyond the human toll, the attack carries financial and diplomatic repercussions. Washington’s security deployments cost taxpayers millions each month, with estimates suggesting that federal and state agencies have already spent over $120 million this year on troop operations in the capital. An escalation in perceived threats could drive costs even higher as additional personnel, surveillance systems, and counterterrorism resources are deployed.

Internationally, the case threatens to strain diplomatic relations with Afghanistan’s interim government, which continues to coordinate with Washington on refugee resettlement programs. Afghan officials expressed “deep regret” and offered to share intelligence records to support the investigation.

Foreign policy observers warn that the incident could harden U.S. attitudes toward future military cooperation and humanitarian entry programs, potentially limiting safe pathways for Afghans who supported U.S. missions during the twenty-year conflict.

A Capital on Edge

By Friday morning, a heavy police and military presence remained across Pennsylvania Avenue. Investigators maintained a command post near the site of the shooting, where forensic teams continued to recover shell casings and examine surveillance footage.

Candlelight vigils for the wounded troops have begun forming outside the National Guard armory and the Lincoln Memorial, reflecting both public grief and solidarity among service members.

“The city is shaken,” said a Capitol Hill staffer who witnessed the aftermath. “You don’t expect soldiers to be the ones you need to protect here—but after this week, everything feels uncertain.”

The Road Ahead

Lakanwal remains in federal custody, held without bail pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for next week. Prosecutors plan to present evidence from ballistic analyses, digital forensics, and eyewitness accounts to establish premeditation. His court-appointed attorney declined to comment.

As the investigation unfolds, the event has reignited calls for comprehensive reform in both immigration vetting and urban security strategy. Federal agencies are under pressure to demonstrate that lessons learned from past failures will translate into meaningful prevention.

The twin imperatives — justice for the victims and protection for those who serve — now shape the narrative in the heart of the capital, where fear, scrutiny, and determination meet at the crossroads of tragedy and accountability.