Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the 29-year-old Afghan national who is suspected of shooting two West Virginia National Guardsmen in November, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to nine federal charges through his attorneys.Lakanwal is charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, illegal possession of a firearm, and six related charges, The Hill reported. He is accused of shooting U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, near Farragut West Metro Station in November.
Beckstrom died of her injuries the day after the shooting, while Wolfe is in an in-patient rehab facility and ready to begin an 8-12 week residential rehab program, according to his mother.
Lakanwal was hospitalized following the shooting, as he was shot by another Guardsman, and was present in court on Wednesday in a wheelchair, relying on a translator throughout the hearing.
U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia Amit Mehta asked federal prosecutors on Wednesday whether they would pursue additional charges that would allow them to seek the death penalty. Prosecutors told the judge that they are pursuing “death-eligible charges.”
Lakanwal pleaded not guilty to four federal charges related to the shooting in December, but the Justice Department announced last month that it was bringing additional charges against him.
Trending
- Six states declare emergencies as historic blizzard paralyzes Northeast, canceling thousands of flights
- DOT removes 550 CDL training providers in nationwide crackdown
- Meta’s controversial AI patent: Keeping the dead “ALIVE” on social media
- Trump orders UFO files release as secret Air Force jet spotted near Area 51
- Dietitians reveal the comfort foods you can eat without the guilt
- The secret to radiant skin: How to repair and protect your skin’s natural barrier
- Exercise outperforms medication for depression and anxiety, study finds
- State of the Union: Republicans eager for Trump to talk energy
