Man Accused of Killing National Guard Member Near White House Faces Death Penalty

Justice Department to seek death penalty for Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 10:07am

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The Justice Department said it will seek the death penalty for Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the man accused of shooting two National Guard members near the White House in November, killing one of them. Lakanwal, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, had previously worked with the CIA in Afghanistan before coming to the U.S. in 2021.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing security challenges around the White House and the potential for violence against law enforcement, as well as the Justice Department's use of the death penalty in federal prosecutions.

The details

According to court documents, Lakanwal traveled from Washington state to Washington, D.C. in late November before he allegedly ambushed the two National Guard members, shooting them both in the head with a stolen snub-nosed revolver. Another National Guard member shot and detained Lakanwal at the scene. Sarah Beckstrom, one of the Guard members, was pronounced dead the next day, while the other, Andrew Wolfe, is still recovering.

  • Lakanwal allegedly purchased a box of bullets two hours after being given the stolen firearm on the same day.
  • The next day, Lakanwal allegedly searched for the address of the White House on Google maps.
  • Ten days later, Lakanwal allegedly shot the two National Guard members two blocks from the White House.

The players

Rahmanullah Lakanwal

The man accused of shooting two National Guard members near the White House, killing one of them. He had previously worked with the CIA in Afghanistan before coming to the U.S. in 2021.

Sarah Beckstrom

One of the National Guard members who was shot and killed in the incident near the White House.

Andrew Wolfe

The other National Guard member who was shot in the incident near the White House and is still recovering.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

Lakanwal's next hearing in the case is scheduled for early May.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing security challenges around the White House and the potential for violence against law enforcement, as well as the Justice Department's use of the death penalty in federal prosecutions.