Federal Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty in D.C. Killing of National Guard Soldier

Federal prosecutors have reportedly moved to dramatically escalate the case against the Afghan national accused of killing a National Guard soldier and wounding another during a Thanksgiving week attack in Washington, D.C., opening the door to the death penalty.

The Justice Department announced Tuesday that it has filed a federal criminal complaint against 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, shifting the case from D.C. Superior Court to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The move brings the full weight of federal law to bear and allows prosecutors to consider capital punishment.

Lakanwal now faces multiple federal charges, including transporting or shipping a stolen firearm in interstate commerce and transporting or receiving firearms with intent to commit a crime.

He is also charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and assault with intent to kill while armed.

Prosecutors allege Lakanwal ambushed two uniformed members of the West Virginia National Guard as they patrolled the nation’s capital. U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, was shot and killed, dying from her injuries the following day. U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, was also shot in the head and critically wounded, but survived and is expected to recover.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said the decision to move the case to federal court reflects the gravity of the crimes and the need for careful consideration of the harshest possible punishment. “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,” Pirro said.

She noted the devastating toll on the victims’ families. “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,” Pirro said. “Andrew Wolfe, by the grace of God, survived but has a long road ahead in his recovery.”

According to the federal complaint, Lakanwal acted with deliberate intent. Prosecutors allege he “purposely and with deliberate and premeditated malice” shot Beckstrom in the head, killing her. The complaint further states that by shooting Wolfe in the head, Lakanwal assaulted him with intent to kill.

Lakanwal, who was himself wounded during the incident, previously pleaded not guilty to the local D.C. charges earlier this month.

Investigators say the firearm used in the attack was a stolen .357 Smith & Wesson revolver. The complaint details a series of troubling steps leading up to the shooting. On October 15, Lakanwal allegedly sent photos of an AR-15 and a pistol to an unidentified individual in Washington, along with the message, “find this stuff for me.” He also claimed he needed a weapon while working for Lyft and Uber.

The unidentified individual responded that gun laws were too strict to help. According to investigators, Lakanwal had not given a Lyft ride since May, and a family member told authorities his Uber account had been banned.

Despite that, the individual later supplied Lakanwal with the revolver, which had been stolen from a Seattle home in May 2023. That person told investigators he believed Lakanwal wanted the gun for personal protection as a rideshare driver.

Prosecutors say Lakanwal purchased ammunition the day after receiving the weapon. Just two hours later, he searched “Washington, D.C.” and “The White House” on Google Maps, according to the complaint.

The federal case now moves forward as prosecutors weigh whether the ultimate penalty is warranted for what they describe as a calculated and deadly attack on American service members guarding the nation’s capital.