Rahmanullah Lakanwal is accused of shooting two National Guard members near the White House. Photo: Nathan Howard/Reuters via CNN Newsource
The Afghan man appeared in court virtually from his hospital bed to plead not guilty to charges related to the shooting two of National Guardsmen in Washington, DC.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal is accused of shooting two National Guard members near the White House last week. One of them, Sarah Beckstrom, died from her injuries a day later. The other victim, Andrew Wolfe, remains in critical condition.
Lakanwal was hospitalised after being shot Wednesday. He appeared virtually from a hospital bed on Tuesday before a magistrate judge in Washington, DC, superior court. As the judge began, the man could be seen wiggling and moving in his bed, all but his head covered by a blanket.
The man mumbled his name when asked through squinted eyes. He said, through a translator, he cannot open his eyes.
"I have pain," he said.
Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe Photo: CNN
Lakanwal was charged with several crimes including premeditated murder and assault with intent to kill. He pleaded not guilty to all counts, a lawyer appointed to the case told the judge.
An interpreter accompanied Lakanwal in the virtual hearing translating for the judge.
DC US Attorney Jeanine Pirro has said the Lakanwal will face at least one first-degree murder charge.
Lankanwal spent the last few years living in Washington state with his family. He came to the US in 2021 after working with US forces in Afghanistan before the US military withdrew from the country.
- CNN
