Washington, D.C.(US News): A 29-year-old Afghan immigrant who once fought alongside CIA operatives in some of the deadliest corners of Kandahar is now accused of gunning down two National Guard troops in broad daylight just blocks from the White House, and newly revealed emails paint a disturbing portrait of a man spiraling into isolation and untreated trauma long before the trigger was pulled.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who entered the United States in 2021 under the Biden administration’s Operation Allies Welcome, allegedly ambushed Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, on the afternoon of November 26 as the West Virginia soldiers patrolled downtown Washington. Prosecutors say Lakanwal fired multiple rounds from a .357 revolver, killing Beckstrom and leaving Wolfe fighting for his life.
Emails obtained by CBS News from a resettlement caseworker in early 2024 reveal a family in crisis. The caseworker described Lakanwal spending weeks at a time locked inside a darkened bedroom in the family’s Bellingham, Washington apartment, refusing to speak even to his wife and children. During sudden manic episodes, he would disappear for days in the family car, only to return attempting to make amends.
“He has mental health issues that are not addressed, and he won’t talk to anyone,” the January 11, 2024 email warned, noting the family faced eviction after Lakanwal had been unemployed for more than a year.
A follow-up message on January 31 detailed the depth of his withdrawal: “He spends most of his time for weeks on end in his darkened bedroom, not speaking to anyone, not even his wife and older kids.”
Lakanwal served for over a decade in Afghanistan’s elite “Zero Unit,” a CIA-backed commando force that conducted night raids and intelligence operations against the Taliban. CIA Director John Ratcliffe has confirmed Lakanwal’s close cooperation with the agency, which fast-tracked his evacuation as Taliban forces reclaimed the country in August 2021.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told NBC on Sunday that investigators believe Lakanwal was radicalized inside the United States after arrival, pointing to connections within his local community in Washington state.
President Donald Trump responded to the attack by announcing an immediate freeze on all asylum processing and vowing to “permanently pause migration from third-world countries” until vetting procedures are dramatically strengthened. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has halted every pending asylum decision nationwide.
Lakanwal, who was shot multiple times by returning fire from the Guardsmen, remains hospitalized under guard in Washington. He faces first-degree murder charges in the death of Specialist Beckstrom and multiple counts of assault with intent to kill.
Sergeant Wolfe underwent emergency surgery and is listed in critical condition.
Federal agents have seized computers, phones, and the suspected murder weapon from Lakanwal’s Bellingham home as the FBI and Joint Terrorism Task Force investigate whether others knew of or encouraged the attack.
The case has reignited fierce debate over the vetting of tens of thousands of Afghan allies hastily brought to the United States during the chaotic 2021 withdrawal, and whether the nation’s resettlement system is equipped to handle severe combat trauma in those it promised to protect.
