Shot in the head, both agents fell near the White House
Perto da Casa Branca, o passado e o presente colidiram de forma trágica quando Rahmanullah Lakanwal, veterano afegão de 29 anos que serviu ao lado das forças especiais americanas durante uma década, foi acusado de abrir fogo contra agentes da Guarda Nacional, matando Sarah Beckstrom, de 20 anos, e ferindo gravemente Andrew Wolfe, de 24. Lakanwal, ele próprio hospitalizado após o incidente, declarou-se inocente por videoconferência, enquanto as autoridades ainda procuram compreender o que levou um homem com laços tão profundos ao serviço americano a este momento de violência. O caso levanta questões que vão além do crime em si — sobre transições, lealdades e o que acontece quando os conflitos terminam mas as suas marcas persistem.
- Uma agente de 20 anos perdeu a vida com um tiro na cabeça junto à residência presidencial, e outro agente de 24 anos permanece em estado crítico com ferimentos idênticos.
- O suspeito, que serviu forças especiais afegãs ao lado dos EUA durante dez anos, chegou ao país em 2021 após a retirada americana do Afeganistão e vivia com a mulher e cinco filhos no estado de Washington.
- A motivação do ataque permanece desconhecida, criando uma zona de incerteza que alimenta tanto a investigação criminal como o debate público.
- A procuradora-geral Pam Bondi sinalizou que o Departamento de Justiça poderá avançar com acusações de terrorismo e pedir a pena de morte, elevando drasticamente as consequências legais do caso.
- Lakanwal, hospitalizado após ter sido baleado durante o incidente, declarou-se inocente de todos os crimes em audiência realizada por videochamada a partir do seu leito hospitalar.
Na terça-feira, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, de 29 anos, declarou-se inocente por videoconferência a partir do hospital onde se encontra internado, após ter sido acusado de abrir fogo perto da Casa Branca na semana passada. Entre as acusações constam homicídio em primeiro grau, agressão com intenção de matar, posse ilegal de arma de fogo e uso de arma durante um crime violento.
O ataque custou a vida a Sarah Beckstrom, agente da Guarda Nacional com apenas 20 anos, que foi atingida com um tiro na cabeça. Andrew Wolfe, de 24 anos, sofreu ferimentos semelhantes e permanece em estado crítico. O próprio Lakanwal foi baleado durante a troca de tiros, razão pela qual compareceu a tribunal a partir de uma cama de hospital.
Lakanwal chegou aos Estados Unidos em setembro de 2021, após dez anos de serviço nas forças especiais afegãs em Kandahar, trabalhando lado a lado com as Forças Especiais americanas. A CIA confirmou que trabalhou para o governo dos EUA como parte de uma força parceira. Com a retirada americana do Afeganistão, o seu serviço terminou e ele foi viver para Bellingham, no estado de Washington, com a mulher e os cinco filhos.
A motivação para o ataque continua por esclarecer. O presidente Trump confirmou publicamente a morte de Beckstrom no dia seguinte ao incidente. A procuradora-geral Pam Bondi anunciou que o Departamento de Justiça estuda acusações relacionadas com terrorismo e a possibilidade de pedir a pena de morte — uma escalada significativa que reflete a gravidade com que as autoridades federais encaram o caso e que poderá transformar profundamente o seu desfecho judicial.
A 29-year-old Afghan veteran appeared by video from his hospital bed on Tuesday to enter a not guilty plea on charges that he opened fire near the White House last week, killing one National Guard agent and critically wounding another. Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who was himself shot during the incident, faces a first-degree murder charge alongside accusations of assault with intent to kill while armed, illegal firearm possession, and carrying a weapon during a violent crime. He denied all counts.
The shooting claimed the life of Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old National Guard agent, who suffered a fatal head wound. Andrew Wolfe, 24, was also struck in the head and remains in critical condition. Both were shot in the same area of the body, suggesting a deliberate aim. Lakanwal sustained injuries as well during the exchange of gunfire near the presidential residence in Washington, D.C., which is why he appeared in court from a hospital bed rather than in person.
Lakanwal arrived in the United States in September 2021 after a decade serving with Afghan special forces, working alongside U.S. Special Forces in Kandahar, Afghanistan's second-largest city. The CIA confirmed his employment with the American government as part of a partner force. His service ended in 2021 when U.S. troops withdrew from Afghanistan. He had been living in Bellingham, Washington, with his wife and five children.
The motive for the shooting remains unclear, with law enforcement still investigating what prompted the violence. President Donald Trump confirmed Beckstrom's death the day after the attack. The case has taken on broader implications: U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi indicated that the Department of Justice is considering terrorism-related charges and may pursue the death penalty, a significant escalation from the initial charges already filed.
The incident has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding Lakanwal's life in the years since his arrival in America and the transition from military service to civilian life. As the investigation continues, the charges against him could expand substantially, and the potential for capital punishment signals how seriously federal authorities are treating the case.
Notable Quotes
The Department of Justice may pursue terrorism-related charges and request the death penalty— U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
Why would someone with his background—a decade of service alongside American forces—turn to violence against the very institution he worked with?
That's the question investigators are still trying to answer. The motive hasn't been made public yet. What we know is that his service ended abruptly when the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021, and he came here with his family. Something happened between then and last week.
The fact that both agents were shot in the head—does that suggest training, or intent?
It could suggest either. Someone with military experience would know how to aim. But it could also just be how the violence unfolded in those moments. The investigation will likely focus on whether this was calculated or reactive.
Why is the Attorney General already talking about terrorism charges when the investigation is still ongoing?
Because the location matters enormously. The White House is not just any building. An armed attack there, regardless of motive, carries national security implications. The government is signaling that they're taking this as a serious threat, not just a crime.
What happens to someone facing both murder and potential terrorism charges?
The stakes become existential. Terrorism charges can carry the death penalty, which Bondi has indicated they may pursue. It transforms the case from a criminal matter into something the government treats as a threat to the state itself.
Does his military service matter legally?
It could. A defense might argue service-related trauma, mental health decline, or other mitigating factors. But appearing in court to plead not guilty while hospitalized—that's a difficult position from which to mount any defense.