An indictment was unsealed in U.S. District Court on January 9, 2026, charging Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, with multiple offenses related to the shooting near the White House that resulted in the death of National Guardsman Sarah Beckstrom and serious injury to National Guardsman Andrew Wolfe. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
The indictment introduces two new counts of assault with intent to kill for two additional victims, identified as R.R. and E.S., both National Guard majors who subdued Lakanwal at the scene.
Lakanwal is also charged with first degree murder while armed (premeditated), assault with intent to kill while armed, transportation of a firearm and ammunition in interstate commerce with the intent to commit a felony, and four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence or dangerous offense.
“We are vigorously pursuing the prosecution of Lakanwal,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Nothing is off the table, and we will continue to weigh additional charges.”
Court documents allege that Lakanwal drove his Toyota Prius from Washington state to the District of Columbia. On November 26, at approximately 2:13 p.m., he allegedly opened fire without provocation at 17th and I Streets NW near Farragut West Metro Station, shooting Beckstrom and Wolfe in the head. Two nearby National Guard majors responded immediately and subdued him.
Investigators recovered a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver at the scene, which had been reported stolen in Seattle, Washington in 2023.
Beckstrom, aged 20, died from her injuries on November 27. Wolfe, aged 24, remains critically injured.
The FBI’s Washington Field Office and the Metropolitan Police Department are investigating this case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia is prosecuting the matter.
