US authorities have revealed that Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the man accused of shooting two National Guard members near the White House previously worked with the CIA in Afghanistan.
Lakanwal allegedly opened fire on 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe on Wednesday, triggering a security lockdown just a mile from the White House. By Thursday evening, President Donald Trump announced that Beckstrom had died from her injuries, while Wolfe “is fighting for his life”. He branded the suspect an “animal” and vowed he would “pay a steep price”.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that Lakanwal had a “relationship… with partner forces” during his time in Afghanistan, prompting a full-scale terrorism probe to determine whether he had any associates in the US.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe said Lakanwal was brought into the country because of his previous work with American government agencies, including the CIA, as part of a partner force in Kandahar. He arrived in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, applied for asylum in 2024, and was granted protected status in April 2025.
Former colleagues described him as a “sporty and jolly” GPS tracker specialist who helped guard US troops at Kabul airport during the frantic evacuation ahead of the Taliban takeover. His unit, known locally as the Scorpion Forces, initially operated under the CIA before moving to Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security.
The group was relocated to Kabul just days before the Taliban captured the city and continued guarding the airport until they were flown out to the US.
US attorney Jeanine Pirro said Lakanwal will face three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, alongside firearms charges. She made the announcement before Beckstrom’s passing was confirmed.
