Armed with nothing more than a pocketknife, a National Guard commander reportedly stopped gunman Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who opened fire on two guardsmen just blocks from the White House on Wednesday (November 26).
Investigators say Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan man from Bellingham, Washington, allegedly drove nearly 3,000 miles across the country before launching the attack near the Farragut West Metro entrance around 2 p.m. at 17th and I Streets NW.
Lakanwal allegedly pulled out a .357 Magnum Smith & Wesson revolver and fired at two National Guard soldiers on patrol.
Sarah Beckstrom, 20, of the West Virginia National Guard, was hit in the head and chest.
Her father told The New York Times that his daughter is “not expected to survive her injuries.”
The second guard, Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, was also seriously injured after Lakanwal allegedly picked up Beckstrom’s gun and continued shooting. It was reported by CBS News.
Main charges against shooting
A National Guard major conducting routine patrols nearby heard the shots. According to sources who spoke to CBS, he had no firearm, only a pocket knife.
Seeing Lakanwal trying to charge again, he seized the moment.
“He jumped out of hiding and stabbed the attacker multiple times in the head,” said Mike Davis, a conservative attorney and strategist, citing law enforcement sources.
The major’s quick action knocked Lakanwal to the ground.
Reserve units join the fight
A fourth National Guardsman rushed to the scene with a gun drawn and shot Lakanwala in the buttocks and leg, according to initial reports. The two guards then detained him until the police arrived.
Lakanwal survived and was taken into custody.
Fees
He was accused of:
-Possession of a firearm during a violent crime
-Intent to kill when armed
Unclear motive
Authorities say Lakanwal’s motive remains under investigation.
Officials confirmed he previously served in US-backed paramilitary operations in Afghanistan. The CIA verified that his work with the US government ended after the 2021 withdrawal.
Lakanwal arrived in the U.S. through President Biden’s Operation Allies Welcome, which resettled roughly 76,000 Afghan partners.
He lived in Bellingham, Washington with his wife and five children.
Investigators believe he acted alone
Authorities currently believe that Lakanwal was the sole conspirator in the attack.
