Charges and legal status
Lakanwal was initially arrested on three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, along with one count of criminal possession of a weapon. After Beckstrom’s death, prosecutors added one count of first-degree murder. Pirro indicated that additional charges are possible as the inquiry progresses.
Law enforcement officials said Lakanwal is an Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021 and applied for asylum in 2024. He was granted asylum in April 2025 following what officials described as a standard vetting process. A search warrant executed at his residence in Bellingham, Washington, recovered multiple electronic devices, which the Federal Bureau of Investigation is examining for evidence of planning or outside coordination.
Possible background ties under review
FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the Bureau has confirmation from both the Department of Defense and the Central Intelligence Agency that Lakanwal had a prior relationship with partner forces in Afghanistan. Investigators are now reviewing any links he may have maintained with individuals overseas or within the United States. Patel emphasized that the motive for the shooting remains undetermined.
Additional information about the Bureau’s counterterrorism protocols is available on the official FBI website, which outlines investigative procedures for attacks involving potential international connections.
National Guard deployment in the capital
The two victims were part of a larger contingent of 2,188 National Guard personnel assigned to Washington, D.C., following a federal security initiative launched in August. The deployment was authorized by President Trump to reinforce local law-enforcement agencies and address rising violent-crime rates.
Imagem: Internet
During an unrelated event on Wednesday morning, the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon at the White House, the president referenced the ongoing Guard mission, calling the capital “a totally safe city.” Fewer than six hours later, the shooting occurred roughly four blocks from the Executive Mansion.
Community response
By Friday, mourners had built a makeshift memorial near the site of the attack. Flowers, candles, and handwritten messages lined the sidewalk to honor Beckstrom and express support for Wolfe’s recovery. In a separate ceremony, service members formed an honor escort as Beckstrom’s remains were transferred through the city on Thursday night.
Next steps in the investigation
Federal authorities are compiling evidence from the crime scene, the suspect’s vehicle, and digital devices seized in Washington state. Ballistics testing is underway on the revolver, and detectives are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses and transit cameras. Prosecutors have not announced a date for Lakanwal’s initial appearance on the upgraded murder charge.
If convicted of first-degree murder in the District of Columbia, Lakanwal could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment without parole. The assault-related charges tied to Wolfe’s injuries remain in place and could likewise carry substantial penalties.
Crédito da imagem: U.S. Department of Justice / Joint Task Force DC / AFP via Getty Images
