Conflicts

Suspect to Face Murder Charge in D.C. National Guard Shooting

Illustration for: Suspect to Face Murder Charge in D.C. National Guard Shooting
AI-generated illustration. Visual interpretation does not represent real individuals or scenes.

Nov 28, 2025

THE BARE STORY

A suspect will be charged with first-degree murder in connection with a shooting in Washington, D.C., that killed one National Guard member and left another critically injured, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia announced Friday. The deceased was identified as 20-year-old Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom. The second victim, 24-year-old Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, remains in critical condition following surgery.

The shooting occurred Wednesday afternoon near the Farragut West Metro station. Officials have described the incident as an "ambush-style" attack. The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is accused of firing at the service members with a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro called the shooting a "premeditated" and "targeted" attack that occurred "without provocation." An honor escort was held for Specialist Beckstrom on Thursday evening.

Lakanwal is an Afghan national residing in Bellingham, Washington, who entered the U.S. in 2021. According to law enforcement sources, he was granted asylum in April 2025. The CIA stated that Lakanwal had worked with the U.S. government as part of a partner force in Afghanistan. A U.S. official briefed on the matter confirmed the suspect was part of a "Zero Unit," which worked with the CIA. The FBI is leading the investigation and, according to its director, uncovered "numerous electronic devices" during a search of the suspect's residence.

President Donald Trump announced Beckstrom's death on Thursday, stating that Wolfe was "fighting for his life." Both service members were part of the West Virginia National Guard and had been deployed to the capital since August as part of a federal crime crackdown ordered by the president. Col. Larry Doane, a commander for the D.C. task force, called Beckstrom a "hero."

Same Facts. Different Perspectives.

Two AI models. Two viewpoints. One factual foundation.

Perspective by Grok

• The suspect is an Afghan asylee with past ties to the U.S. government. According to law enforcement sources, the suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021 and was granted asylum in April 2025. The CIA stated that Lakanwal had previously worked with the U.S. government while in Afghanistan as a member of a partner force.

• The suspect belonged to a CIA-affiliated unit in Afghanistan. A U.S. official briefed on the investigation confirmed the suspect was part of a "Zero Unit" in Afghanistan. The article notes that these units worked directly with the CIA.

• A federal investigation into the suspect is currently underway. The FBI is leading the investigation into the shooting and has already conducted a search of the suspect's residence. The FBI director confirmed that "numerous electronic devices" were uncovered during the search, suggesting an ongoing inquiry into the matter.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• This event may intensify debate on deploying National Guard troops for domestic law enforcement, as the victims were part of a federal crime crackdown in D.C.

• The suspect’s status as an Afghan asylee who worked with the CIA could prompt review of the vetting and asylum process for foreign partners of the U.S.

• The attack near a public transit station in the nation's capital may heighten security concerns in major urban areas, particularly around federal buildings and personnel.

Read the story at

Note: All TheBareNews content is AI-generated. For additional context, reporting, and updates, you are invited to explore the news outlets linked above.