Trump Wants Death Penalty For Afghanistan Man Charged In Deadly National Guard Shooting

The Trump administration is moving toward seeking the death penalty against the Afghan national accused of killing one National Guard member and critically injuring another during a Thanksgiving week attack in Washington, D.C.

The Justice Department announced Tuesday that it has transferred the case against 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal from D.C. Superior Court to federal court, filing a criminal complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The move allows federal prosecutors to pursue capital punishment.

Lakanwal now faces multiple federal charges, including transporting or shipping a stolen firearm in interstate commerce, transporting or receiving firearms with intent to commit a crime, first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and assault with intent to kill while armed.

Lakanwal is accused of ambushing U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, both members of the West Virginia National Guard, while they were deployed in the nation’s capital. Beckstrom died from her injuries the day after the shooting. Wolfe survived but remains in recovery from critical wounds.

“The transfer of this case from Superior Court to District Court ensures that we can undertake the serious, deliberate, and weighty analysis required to determine if the death penalty is appropriate here,” U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said. “Sarah Beckstrom was just 20 years old when she was killed, and her parents are now forced to endure the holiday season without their daughter. Andrew Wolfe, by the grace of God, survived but has a long road ahead in his recovery.”

According to the federal complaint, Lakanwal “purposely and with deliberate and premeditated malice” shot Beckstrom in the head, killing her, and shot Wolfe in the head with the intent to kill him.

Prosecutors say the firearm used in the attack was a stolen .357 Smith & Wesson revolver. The complaint alleges that in October, Lakanwal sent photos of an AR-15 and a pistol to an unnamed individual in Washington, asking them to help him acquire a weapon.

“I’m doing Lyft and Uber so I will need one of them,” Lakanwal allegedly wrote. The individual responded that local gun laws were too strict to help.

Investigators say Lakanwal had not driven for Lyft since May and that a family member told authorities his Uber account had been banned. Despite this, the unnamed individual later provided him with the revolver, which had been stolen from a Seattle residence in May 2023. That individual reportedly told investigators he believed Lakanwal wanted the gun for personal protection while working as a rideshare driver.

After obtaining the weapon, Lakanwal allegedly purchased ammunition the following day. Prosecutors say that roughly two hours later, he searched “Washington, D.C.” and “The White House” on Google Maps.

Lakanwal was wounded during the attack and previously pleaded not guilty to local charges earlier this month. With the case now in federal court, prosecutors will conduct a formal review to determine whether to seek the death penalty.