The D.C. Armory, where National Guard units are based, is seen a day after two National Guard soldiers were shot near the White House in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025.
Suspect in shooting of National Guard members now facing a first-degree murder charge
Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, has announced upgraded charges against a man accused of shooting two National Guard members
By COLLIN BINKLEY and BEN FINLEY - Associated Press
The D.C. Armory, where National Guard units are based, is seen a day after two National Guard soldiers were shot near the White House in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025.
Cliff Owen - FR170079 AP
This photo provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, shows National Guard member Specialist Sarah Beckstrom.
Uncredited - U.S. Attorney's Office
This photo provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, shows National Guard member Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe.
WASHINGTON (AP) β Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, announced Friday that charges against a man who authorities say have been upgraded to first-degree murder.
The announcement comes after the death of one of the soldiers.
Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, were hospitalized in critical condition after Wednesday afternoonβs shooting and President Donald Trump announced Thursday evening that Beckstrom had died.
Pirroβs office said the charges Rahmanullah Lakanwal now faces include one count of first-degree murder, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed.
Pirro said that Lakanwal drove across the country to launch an βambush-styleβ attack with a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver. He initially faced charges of assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Pirro said that βitβs too soon to sayβ what the suspectβs motives were.
Lakanwal, 29, worked in one of the special Zero Units in the southern province of Kandahar, according to a resident of the eastern Afghan province of Khost who identified himself as Lakanwalβs cousin. He said Lakanwal was originally from the province and that his brother had worked in the unit as well.
AP writer Sarah Brumfield contributed to this report.
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