Recently, a shooting in Washington, D.C., left one National Guard member dead and another injured. Authorities say 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal allegedly approached two guards, Andrew Wolfe, 24, and Sarah Backstrom, 20, and opened fire without warning. Backstrom later died from her injuries.
Video recorded by a bystander showed Lakanwal holding what appeared to be a small revolver. Seconds later, a National Guardsman fired back, hitting Lakanwal and stopping the attack. The soldier who returned fire has not been publicly named.
DC U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said Lakanwal was carrying a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver during the attack. She described the shooting as “without provocation” and said fellow Guardsmen acted quickly to protect others.
“One guardsman is struck, goes down, and then the shooter leans over and strikes the guardsman again,” Pirro said. “Another guardsman is struck several times. Fellow guardsmen responded immediately, neutralizing the threat and subduing him at the scene.”
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Lakanwal survived and is hospitalized under heavy guard. Authorities say his injuries are not life-threatening. He faces charges including assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Pirro said it is too early to know his motive.
President Donald Trump announced Backstrom’s death Thursday evening, calling her “an incredible person” and describing the attack as “just horrible.” He said her family had been notified and was by her side.
Investigators said Lakanwal drove from Bellingham, Washington, to D.C. shortly before the attack. He was brought to the U.S. in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, the Biden administration’s program to evacuate and resettle tens of thousands of Afghans after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Before coming to the U.S., Lakanwal worked with American personnel overseas. Former intelligence director John Ratcliffe said Lakanwal “served as a member of a partner force in Kandahar,” though details of his role were not specified. Ratcliffe said the connection ended shortly after the chaotic evacuation from Afghanistan.
Backstrom and Wolfe were part of street-level National Guard operations in D.C., assigned under President Trump’s effort to boost Guard presence in the city. After the shooting, the administration deployed 500 more National Guard members to Washington.
In response to the attack, President Trump announced new immigration measures. These include plans to “permanently pause migration from Third World countries,” audit green card holders from 19 nations, remove federal benefits from noncitizens, and deport foreign nationals considered security risks.
Featured image via X screengrab
