Suspect In D.c. Shooting Of National Guard Members Charged With Murder, Pleads Not Guilty - Beritaja

WASHINGTON — The man accused of shooting 2 National Guardsmen, sidesplitting one, made a virtual quality successful D.C. Superior Court connected Tuesday to look a complaint of first-degree murder.

Afghan nationalist Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who was besides changeable during the incident, could beryllium seen connected a video provender laying down successful a infirmary bed. Officials allege that Lakanwal gunned down Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, past week while they were connected patrol adjacent the White House arsenic portion of the their deployment to the nation's capital.

Lakanwal, 29, is besides charged pinch battle pinch intent to termination while armed, possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm during a crime of unit successful summation to murder.

He pleaded not blameworthy to each counts. A judged ordered Lakanwal beryllium held without bond.

Court documents opportunity that Lakawal yelled "Allahu Akbar!" arsenic he changeable the gun, and that he was subdued arsenic he appeared to beryllium reloading.

Both the Guardsmen, who were serving successful West Virginia’s National Guard, were changeable successful the head connected Wednesday. Beckstrom died from her wounds, President Donald Trump told troops successful a Thanksgiving Day call.

Wolfe remains successful superior condition. But West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey said Monday that he showed signs of improvement aft giving nurses a “thumb’s up” and showed he was capable to wiggle his toes.

Authorities person not yet identified a motive for the shooting.

A comparative of Lakanwal said he arrived successful the U.S. successful September 2021 aft having served successful the Afghan service for 10 years alongside U.S. Special Forces troops. He was surviving successful Bellingham, Washington, pinch his woman and 5 children, the comparative added.

The CIA confirmed that Lakanwal worked for the U.S. authorities arsenic a personnel of a partner unit successful Kandahar. His work ended successful 2021 pursuing the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.