The Afghan national accused of shooting two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., yelled “Allahu akbar!” during the attack before he was struck with return fire and subdued by a witness, a court document said.
The details emerged as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, made his first court appearance in Superior Court in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. He appeared remotely from a hospital bed.
Lakanwal’s attorney said his client pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault with intent to kill, one count of murder and one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
A complaint submitted to the court by a D.C. Metro Police officer said a supervisor was talking to National Guard members Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe on Nov. 26 “when gunfire erupted.”
“Complainant Reynolds reported that he heard gunshots and saw Complainants Beckstrom and Wolfe fall to the ground while simultaneously seeing the defendant, subsequently identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal shooting a gun and screaming, ‘Allahu Akbar!’” the document viewed by Fox News Digital said.
“Complainant Reynolds immediately pulled his issued service weapon and engaged the defendant. During the subsequent gunfight, the defendant was shot and fell to the ground. Complainant Reynolds reported that it appeared the defendant’s firearm was empty, and the defendant was reloading his gun,” it added.
A witness then “jumped on” Lakanwal as he tried to reload his weapon, the court document alleged. The suspect ultimately was subdued and brought into custody.
At one point during the hearing Tuesday, Lakanwal said through his interpreter, “I cannot open my eyes. I have pain in my…”
D.C. Superior Court Magistrate Judge Renee Raymond cut him off at that point, and his defense attorney said he didn’t want Lakanwal to say anything.
Raymond ruled Lakanwal to be held in custody without bond pending further court actions.
Wolfe, 24, was wounded and continues to fight for his life. Beckstrom, 20, was killed.
Attorney General Pam Bondi has said the Department of Justice intends to seek the death penalty.
Lakanwal had legally entered the U.S. in September 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, the Biden administration’s Afghan evacuation and resettlement program.
