Afghan National Charged in Fatal Guard Attack Near White House

Federal investigators are probing the radicalization or mental health factors behind an Afghan national's ambush of two National Guard members near the White House in Washington, D.C., on November 26, which killed one soldier and critically wounded another.

Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, drove approximately 3,000 miles from his home in Bellingham, Washington, to carry out the attack on Thanksgiving eve. He targeted Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, both from the West Virginia National Guard, who were providing security in the capital. According to a police report, Lakanwal shouted "Allahu Akbar" before firing shots that struck Beckstrom in the head, killing her, and Wolfe in a manner that left him in critical condition. Another Guard member returned fire, striking Lakanwal multiple times. He was hospitalized and appeared via video link in court on Tuesday, pleading not guilty to charges of murder and assault through an interpreter, stating he was in too much pain to open his eyes.

Lakanwal entered the United States on September 8, 2021, through Operation Allies Welcome, a program established by the Biden administration to resettle Afghans who had...