An Afghan national, accused of a fatal ambush shooting of National Guard soldiers near the White House, entered a not guilty plea on Tuesday in response to a 17-count federal indictment.
The indictment, released by the Department of Justice (DOJ), targets Rahmanullah Rakanwal, 30, who had worked with the CIA in Afghanistan. He is accused of killing Sarah Beckstrom, a member of the West Virginia National Guard, and seriously wounding Andrew Wolfe during the incident last November.
This case is particularly severe, as prosecutors indicated that it could result in the death penalty due to the gravity of the charges, which include first-degree murder.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro commented, “Sarah Beckstrom was only 20 years old and serving in the capital when Rakanwal allegedly drove across the country and executed her in cold blood.” She emphasized that this crime poses a significant threat to the United States and vowed to seek justice for both victims.
During the arraignment, Rakanwal appeared in a wheelchair, donning an orange prison jumpsuit and skullcap, recovering from injuries he sustained during the event.
Prosecutors shared with U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta that the death penalty review process would begin soon. Ultimately, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche will decide whether to pursue the death penalty.
Rakanwal faces two counts of first-degree murder while armed, as well as additional charges for assault and firearm possession during a violent crime. The next status hearing is scheduled for September 16.
According to court documents, Rakanwal drove a Toyota Prius from his residence in Bellingham, Washington, to Washington, D.C., carrying a stolen firearm. He allegedly opened fire on the National Guardsmen, hitting both Beckstrom and Wolfe in the head. Other National Guard members managed to subdue him at the scene.
Investigators later located a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver tied to the shooting, which had been reported stolen in Seattle in 2023. Unfortunately, Beckstrom died from her injuries on Thanksgiving Day, while Wolfe continues to recover.
