Afghan National Pleads Not Guilty in D.C. Guard Shooting

Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to nine federal charges stemming from the fatal shooting of a National Guard member and the wounding of another near a Washington, D.C., metro station in November.

Lakanwal faces charges including first-degree murder while armed, three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and multiple counts related to the possession and interstate transportation of a stolen firearm and ammunition. The incident occurred on November 26 near the Farragut West Metro Station, just blocks from the White House. According to court documents, Lakanwal allegedly used a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver to shoot Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, both from the West Virginia National Guard, in the back of the head. Beckstrom died the following day, while Wolfe survived but sustained critical injuries.

A third National Guard member returned fire, wounding Lakanwal, who was then subdued and arrested at the scene. Lakanwal, who appeared in federal court in an orange jumpsuit and wheelchair, possibly due to his injuries, relied on a translator during the hearing before U.S....