The suspect within the “focused” taking pictures of two Nationwide Guardsmen in Washington, D.C., will now face costs upgraded to first-degree homicide after President Donald Trump introduced the death of one of the victims late Thursday, U.S. Legal professional for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro mentioned Friday.
“There are actually many extra costs to come back, however we’re upgrading the preliminary costs of assault to homicide within the first diploma,” Pirro mentioned Friday morning on Fox Information’ “Fox & Pals.”
The suspected gunman, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was beforehand charged with three counts of assault with the intent to kill whereas armed and legal possession of a weapon, officers mentioned throughout a press convention on Thursday.
Nationwide Guard members Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe.
U.S. Division of Justice
Lakanwal is accused of firing at two Nationwide Guard members, 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, on Wednesday afternoon.
The suspect allegedly “opened fireplace with out provocation, ambush model,” struck one of many victims, leaned over and shot the person once more, earlier than firing on the different Nationwide Guard member “a number of instances,” Pirro mentioned on Thursday.
Trump introduced on Thursday night that Beckstrom, an Military specialist, had died.
“She’s simply handed away. She’s not with us. She’s wanting down at us proper now,” Trump mentioned of Beckstrom. “Her dad and mom are together with her. It is simply occurred.”
U.S. service members line the streets of Washington, D.C., throughout an honor escort, often known as a fallen soldier procession, for U.S. Military Spc. Sarah Beckstrom of the West Virginia Nationwide Guard, Nov. 27, 2025.
Billy Blankenship/Joint Job Power DC
Andrew Wolfe, a U.S. Air Power employees sergeant, stays in vital situation.
“The opposite younger man is preventing for his life,” Trump mentioned. “He is in very unhealthy form. He is preventing for his life.”
The taking pictures came about round 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday close to the Farragut West Metro station.
Pirro mentioned the suspect, an Afghan nationwide, allegedly drove from Washington state to focus on the guard members, opening fireplace with a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal.
U.S. Division of Justice
The suspect’s motive continues to be unclear, in accordance with officers.
A search warrant was carried out on the suspect’s house in Bellingham, Washington, the place officers discovered “quite a few digital gadgets,” FBI Director Kash Patel mentioned on Thursday.
Patel additionally famous the FBI acquired affirmation from the Division of Protection and CIA “that the topic had a relationship in Afghanistan with companion forces.”
FBI Director Kash Patel speaks throughout a press convention with U.S. Legal professional for D.C. Jeanine Pirro and different authorities concerning the taking pictures of two Nationwide Guard members, in Washington, D.C., Nov. 27, 2025.
Nathan Howard/Reuters
“We’re totally investigating that side of his background as nicely, to incorporate any recognized associates which might be both abroad or right here in america of America,” Patel mentioned.
Lakanwal is believed to be from Afghanistan and got here to america in 2021 below the Biden administration, regulation enforcement sources mentioned. He utilized for asylum in 2024 and was granted asylum in April, likely after being vetted, below the Trump administration, in accordance with the sources.
A makeshift memorial has been arrange in honor of the 2 Nationwide Guard service members shot close to the Farragut West Metro Station in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 28, 2025, two days after a taking pictures killed one Nationwide Guard member and critically wounded one other.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP through Getty Pictures
The Nationwide Guard was deployed to the nation’s capital as a part of Trump’s federal takeover of town and crime crackdown in August. In line with the latest replace, there have been 2,188 Nationwide Guard personnel assigned to D.C.
Individuals place flowers in a makeshift memorial arrange after two Nationwide Guard members have been shot, close to the White Home, in Washington, D.C., Nov. 28, 2025.
Nathan Howard/Reuters
A day earlier than the taking pictures, throughout the traditional turkey pardoning on the White Home, Trump touted his administration’s takeover of D.C. streets. He mentioned it was “considered one of our most unsafe locations anyplace in america. It’s now thought of a completely secure metropolis.”
“You could possibly stroll down any road in Washington and you are going to be simply advantageous. And I wish to thank the Nationwide Guard. I wish to thanks for the job you’ve got executed right here is unbelievable,” Trump mentioned on the occasion.
