OAN Staff Lillian Mann
6:27 PM – Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Federal prosecutors have brought additional charges against the Afghan man accused of fatally shooting one National Guard member and critically injuring another in Washington, D.C., highlighting the possibility of the death penalty.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) released a statement on Tuesday explaining that Rahmanullah Lakanwal has been charged with eight additional counts in a superseding indictment. Some of the additional counts included murder of a person assisting a U.S. officer and discharge of a firearm during a crime that causes death — both of which establish the possibility for the death penalty.
Lakanwal, an Afghan national, is accused of killing Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and critically injuring Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe in what prosecutors describe as an “ambush-style” attack that took place several blocks from the White House in November 2025. He also faces charges of attempting to kill two additional, unnamed service members who restrained him at the scene.
At the hearing on Tuesday, Lakanwal pleaded not guilty to all counts. He previously pleaded not guilty to nine charges, including first-degree murder and firearm charges.
“Sarah Beckstrom was 20 years old, serving her country in the nation’s capital, when Rahmanullah Lakanwal allegedly drove across the country and executed her in cold blood steps from the White House,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro in the indictment. “That is not just a crime, it is a major offense against the United States. We will pursue every penalty the law permits as we seek justice for Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe.”
Beckstrom, who was just 20-years-old, died a day after the shooting due to serious injury.
Additionally, in late January, Wolfe’s mother said that her son was set to undergo reconstructive skull surgery in early march in a Facebook post.
Further components that contribute to the prosecutor’s consideration of the death penalty include a D.C.-based federal grand jury separately finding that Lakanwal “intentionally killed” Beckstrom, along with attempting to kill more than one individual.
Lakanwal reportedly left Afghanistan and was paroled into the U.S. in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, a Biden administration-era initiative created to rapidly evacuate Afghan nationals during the disastrous U.S. military withdrawal.
While in Afghanistan, Lakanwal had worked with the U.S. government, including the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), according to an agency spokesperson. CBS News also reported that he previously led an Afghan military unit that operated alongside international forces.
Lakanwal later sought asylum, which was approved last year despite his green card application still pending, according to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official who spoke to CBS News.
On February 24th, President Donald Trump awarded the Purple Heart to Wolfe and Beckstrom, honoring their service and sacrifice.
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