National Guard shooting suspect charged with murder as new details, photos released

An Afghan national who police say gunned down two National Guard members near the White House, killing one, has been charged with murder in the Nov. 26 attack.

New documents released in the case also said Rahmanullah Lakanwal shouted an expression in Arabic before allegedly shooting both victims in the head.

Lakanwal, 29, has also been charged with possession of a firearm during a violent crime and assault with intent to kill. He attended his first court appearance in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on Dec. 2 virtually from a hospital bed, according to online records reviewed by USA TODAY.

The suspect was shot last week during the violent incident that shocked the nation and has been hospitalized since. He is now set to appear in court in January for a preliminary hearing on the felony charges.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was left "fighting for his life" after the shooting that fatally wounded Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom of Summersville, West Virginia.

Beckstrom, 20, died on Thanksgiving, a day after the attack.

West Virginia governor responds to charges

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey issued the following statement in response to federal charges being filed against Lakanwal: 

“The people of West Virginia appreciate the swift action taken by the Department of Justice, Attorney General Pam Bondi, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, and federal and D.C. authorities as they pursue justice for Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and Sgt. Andrew Wolfe. Their work to hold this alleged terrorist accountable is an important step toward delivering justice.

“As this case moves forward, we will respect the legal process while remaining steadfast in our commitment to see justice done.”

Affidavit says suspect shot gun and screamed, 'Allahu Akbar!'

According to a criminal affidavit reviewed by USA TODAY, Beckstrom and Wolfe were on patrol near the intersection of 17th and I Streets NW "in full uniform" when the shooting took place.

At approximately 2:13 p.m., the complaint said, two majors with the Army National Guard were talking with the pair when gunfire erupted.

A witness in the area alleged to law enforcement officials that he saw Beckstrom and Wolfe fall to the ground while the suspect shot a gun and screamed, "Allahu Akbar!" The Arabic phrase translates to “God is greatest” in English.

That witness, court papers continued, "immediately pulled his issued service weapon and engaged the defendant." In a subsequent gunfight, the defendant was shot and fell to the ground.

The same witness alleged that the defendant's firearm had been emptied during the gunfire, and another nearby person "immediately jumped on the defendant as (he) was attempting to reload."

Both of the witnesses and uniformed United States Secret Service officers who were in the area responded to the scene and helped apprehend the suspect, the affidavit said.

Beckstrom and Wolfe were "unresponsive and suffering from gunshot wounds to the head," before being transported to hospitals in critical condition, the complaint continued. Beckstrom, the affidavit said, died on Nov. 27.

Photos of suspected National Guard shooter at crime scene

Photos recovered from a number of locations near the crime scene show the defendant standing on the sidewalk of I Street outside the Farragut West Metro station for about one minute. In one visual, the defendant appeared to be glancing westbound toward the intersection with 17th Street before running towards the area.

Another photo released by officials shows the defendant bending down next to Beckstrom and Wolfe after they were shot.

This story has been updated.

Contributing: Reuters

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund