WASHINGTON (7NEWS) — The man accused of shooting two National Guard members last Wednesday in Washington, D.C., pleaded not guilty to all charges during his first court appearance on Tuesday afternoon.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal appeared in court remotely from his hospital bed. Lakanwal was shot during the incident and continues to receive medical care at a hospital. He is now being held without bond.
Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24, were shot on Wednesday afternoon outside the entrance to the Farragut West Metro station at 17th & I Street in Northwest Washington, just a few blocks from the White House.
Shortly after the shooting, officers arrested 29-year-old Lakanwal.
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On Monday, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of Columbia told 7News, “As soon as Lakanwal is medically able to appear in court he will be presented. We have no further update.”
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Preliminary charges against Lakanwal include three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
Lakanwal entered the U.S. from Afghanistan in September 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome. He lived in Bellingham, Washington State, with his wife and five children before driving across the country to D.C., allegedly to carry out the crime, according to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro.
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Beckstrom died on Thanksgiving, and Wolfe is still in critical condition.