Afghan Migrant Pleads Not Guilty In DC Shooting Of National Guard Soldiers

The Afghan migrant accused of shooting two National Guard troops patrolling the streets of Washington, D.C., last week has pleaded not guilty.

Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, is accused of shooting West Virginia National Guardsmen, 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe. Beckstrom tragically died from her wounds just a day after the attack.

During a virtual hearing Tuesday, Lakanwal, who joined from a hospital bed where he’s being treated for gunshot wounds, pleaded not guilty to all charges against him, which include assault with intent to kill while armed; possession of a firearm; possession of a firearm during a crime of violence; and murder, according to NBC News.

It was also revealed in court documents that Lakanwal yelled “Allahu akbar!” as he carried out the brutal attack. Additionally, he was apparently restrained just as he tried to reload his gun.

A judge denied the suspect bond, according to NBC.

Both Beckstrom and Wolfe “were sworn in less than 24 hours before they were shot on the street in Washington,” United States Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro said during a press conference Thursday morning.

Beckstrom had volunteered to work during the Thanksgiving holiday to give her fellow soldiers time with their families before the shooting occurred.

President Trump says he spoke with the parents of Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, who is still hospitalized and in serious condition:

“They said he didn’t have a chance. I will tell you, the one who said he is going to live is his mother. I spoke to his mother, ‘Sir, he is going to… pic.twitter.com/sWqnw24nlp

— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) December 2, 2025

Wolfe “remains in serious condition,” but is showing signs of movement and awareness, Republican West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey said during a press conference Monday.

During a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, President Donald Trump said he spoke with Wolfe’s parents.

“They said he didn’t have a chance,” Trump said. “I will tell you, the one who said he is going to live is his mother … ‘Sir, he is going to live.’ I spoke to her very soon after this horrible event took place with this scum that is able to come into our country.”

“I spoke to his mother, ‘Sir, he’s going to be okay. I’m telling you.’ No doctor thought that. Nobody thought that. He was hit bad places. She was so positive, it was incredible. And possibly right. … That would be amazing. If he lives, it would be amazing, a miracle, actually,” he recalled of the conversation.

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Lakanwal came to the United States in 2021 as part of President Joe Biden’s “Operation Allies Welcome,” when roughly 77,000 Afghan nationals were ushered into the country during the botched withdrawal of American troops, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

The Afghan man received asylum in April, according to CBS News.

The Biden administration justified bringing Lakanwal to the U.S. over his work with U.S. government entities in Afghanistan, including the CIA, agency Director John Ratcliffe said last week.

The Trump administration has responded to the attack by “halting” asylum decisions and stopping the issuance of visas to Afghans.