Federal prosecutors in the United States have taken over the case against a man accused of ambushing and killing a West Virginia National Guard member near the White House, a move that opens the door to a potential death penalty sentence.
Charges and a Potential Death Penalty Case
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, now faces federal firearms charges related to the November 26, 2025, shooting that claimed the life of 20-year-old Guard member Sarah Beckstrom and seriously wounded her colleague, 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe. The charges include transporting a firearm across state lines with intent to commit a felony and transporting a stolen firearm.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced the transfer of the case from Washington D.C.'s Superior Court to the federal District Court. "The transfer of this case... ensures that we can undertake the serious, deliberate, and weighty analysis required to determine if the death penalty is appropriate here," Pirro stated. She noted the profound loss for Beckstrom's family, who are enduring the holiday season without their daughter, and the challenging recovery ahead for Wolfe.
Lakanwal remains charged under D.C. code with first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill, and illegal firearm possession. He has pleaded not guilty to those local charges. The death penalty is not available in D.C. Superior Court, making the federal takeover a pivotal legal step.
A Targeted Attack Blocks from the White House
The violent incident occurred just three blocks from the White House, outside the Farragut West Metro station. Beckstrom and Wolfe were deployed to the capital as part of a law-enforcement surge ordered by President Donald Trump, which has seen a significant increase in federal agents and troops in the city since August 2025.
Authorities allege that Lakanwal drove from Bellingham, Washington, to Washington, D.C., while in possession of a stolen firearm. He is accused of deliberately ambushing the two Guard members in what has been described as a targeted attack. Lakanwal was also shot during the encounter.
A makeshift memorial later appeared at the subway station, honoring Beckstrom, who succumbed to her injuries on November 27, 2025.
Background: Evacuation and Past CIA Ties
Officials revealed that Rahmanullah Lakanwal is an Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, the Biden administration's program to evacuate and resettle tens of thousands of Afghans following the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Further details emerged from CIA Director John Ratcliffe, who stated that Lakanwal had previously worked with the American government, including the CIA, "as a member of a partner force" in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Lakanwal's lawyer was not immediately available for comment on the charges.
The case continues to develop as federal authorities proceed with their prosecution and the solemn consideration of seeking the ultimate punishment.
