The Justice Department announced that it intends to pursue the death penalty against the man accused of shooting two National Guard members near the White House in November, an attack that left one service member dead.
The defendant, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, entered a not guilty plea Wednesday during his first appearance in federal court, where he faces nine charges, including first-degree murder, CNN reported.
During the hearing, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta questioned prosecutors about whether they planned to bring additional charges that would make Lakanwal eligible for capital punishment. Prosecutors initially equivocated before ultimately stating that they are seeking “death-eligible charges.”
Court filings allege that Lakanwal traveled from Washington state to Washington, D.C., in late November and carried out a surprise attack on two National Guard members, shooting both officers in the head with a snub-nosed revolver.
According to court records, a third National Guard member heard the gunfire, drew his service weapon, and shot Lakanwal, who collapsed and was immediately taken into custody.
Sarah Beckstrom, one of the guardsmen who was shot in the back of the head, died the following day. The second victim, Andrew Wolfe, continues to recover from his injuries.
Lakanwal previously worked with the CIA in Afghanistan for more than a decade before the U.S. military withdrawal and arrived in the United States in 2021.
Prosecutors say the firearm used in the attack was stolen and was provided to Lakanwal by an unidentified individual after Lakanwal claimed he needed a weapon for protection while working as a driver for Uber and Lyft. Investigators, however, allege that Lakanwal had been banned by Uber and had been unemployed for roughly two months prior to the shooting.
Court documents state that Lakanwal initially sought a firearm capable of holding up to a 30-round magazine and, upon receiving the revolver, asked, “only five rounds?”
Authorities further allege that on the same day he obtained the gun, Lakanwal purchased ammunition at a sporting goods store. Approximately two hours later, he reportedly searched “Washington, DC” on Google Maps, followed the next day by a search for the White House’s address.
Ten days after those searches, prosecutors say, Lakanwal opened fire on the two National Guard members just two blocks from the White House. Lakanwal’s next court hearing is scheduled for early May, notes CNN.