Overview
- Federal prosecutors filed a 17-count superseding indictment on Tuesday and announced they will seek the death penalty; the accused, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, pleaded not guilty and remains in federal custody.
- The attack occurred on Nov. 26, 2025, when prosecutors say Lakanwal ambushed two National Guard members outside the Farragut West Metro Station, killing Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and critically wounding Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe.
- The new charges include first-degree armed premeditated murder of a National Guard member, attempted murder and counts for transporting and discharging a firearm across state lines that enable capital punishment.
- Prosecutors allege Lakanwal, described as a former Afghan special forces member who entered the U.S. as a refugee, drove from Washington state to Washington, D.C., carrying a stolen Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum to carry out the attack.
- Two nearby National Guardsmen shot and stabbed the suspect to stop the assault, Beckstrom had volunteered that day so colleagues with children could be home, and the case will now proceed through the federal capital-prosecution process.