WASHINGTON (AP) — A man accused of shooting two National Guard troops near the White House pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to first-degree murder and assault charges. Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who was also shot, made his initial court appearance by video from a hospital bed. His attorney entered a not guilty plea on his behalf on the charges stemming from the Nov. 26 shooting that killed Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and wounded Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24. Beckstrom and Wolfe were deployed with the West Virginia National Guard for Trump’s law-enforcement surge in the nation’s capital, which has flooded the city with federal agents and troops since August. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office in Washington, D.C., charged him with murder and two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed. Authorities were investigating a possible motive for what they described as an ambush-style attack.}
Suspect in Fatal Shooting of National Guard Troops Pleads Not Guilty
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, faces charges of first-degree murder and assault following a shooting incident that resulted in the death of a National Guard member and injuries to another.
In a shocking incident near the White House, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and assault in connection with the shooting of two National Guard troops. During his initial court hearing, conducted via video from a hospital bed, his attorney formally entered the plea on his behalf. The incident, which occurred on November 26, resulted in the tragic death of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and left Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe injured. The two soldiers were deployed as part of an enhanced law enforcement presence in Washington, D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro's office is investigating the motive behind what authorities are calling an ambush-style attack.
