National Guard shooting suspect isolated in bedroom for weeks, case worker's email reveals

The individual charged with shooting two National Guard personnel in Washington DC last week reportedly spent extended periods isolated in a dark room and experienced "manic episodes," according to notes from a 2024 case worker who assisted his family after they fled Afghanistan.

Rahmanullah Lakanwal faces accusations of staging an "ambush" that resulted in the death of 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and serious injuries to 24-year-old Andrew Wolf. Officials stated that the 29-year-old arrived in the United States in 2021 through a program designed for Afghans who collaborated with American forces in Afghanistan.

Emails from 2024 obtained by CBS News revealed that Mr. Lakanwal struggled with mental health issues. In a Sunday interview with NBC, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem suggested that he had been "radicalised since arriving in the US," possibly through local community connections.

An Afghan national, Mr. Lakanwal entered the US under the Biden-era Operation Allies Welcome initiative, during the chaotic withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. Fearing Taliban reprisals, he applied for asylum in 2024, which was approved earlier this year. He resided in Bellingham, Washington with his wife and five children, far from the scene of last week's attack.

While the motive remains unclear, insights into Mr. Lakanwal's life in the US have emerged through emails to the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants. A case worker assisting the family expressed concern in January 2024 about his unemployment for over a year and the risk of eviction. The worker noted that Mr. Lakanwal appeared to have untreated mental health issues and avoided communication with anyone, including his family.

In another email later that month, the case worker described Mr. Lakanwal spending weeks isolated in a darkened bedroom and experiencing manic episodes lasting one to two weeks, during which he would drive the family car. The worker also mentioned periods when he attempted to "make amends."

A childhood friend told the New York Times that Mr. Lakanwal's mental health difficulties traced back to his work with an Afghan intelligence and paramilitary group known as the "Zero Unit," which collaborated with the CIA. CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed his association with the agency.

Following the DC attack, former President Donald Trump announced a "permanent pause" on migration from certain countries, while asylum decisions were temporarily suspended to ensure thorough vetting, according to USCIS Director Joseph Edlow. Trump indicated that this suspension could last "for a long time."

Mr. Lakanwal, who was shot during the incident and remains hospitalized, now faces murder charges, according to US Attorney Jeanine Pirro.

Author: Sophia Brooks