A former operative of a clandestine CIA-backed Afghan paramilitary unit, known as the “Zero Units,” has been arrested in connection with a shooting in Washington state. Identified as Lakanwal, the suspect is now facing serious charges and scrutiny regarding his past involvement with the controversial units accused of abuses. Anonymous sources are beginning to reveal details about Lakanwal’s history, including his rise within the ranks of the Zero Units and his more recent life in the United States with his family. This developing story sheds light on the complex legacy of the CIA’s covert operations in Afghanistan and its potential repercussions today.
Charges against the man accused of shooting two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., have been elevated to include first-degree murder, District of Columbia Attorney General Jeanine Pirro announced Friday.
The announcement follows the death of one of the soldiers injured in the Wednesday shooting. Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, had been hospitalized in critical condition. President Donald Trump reported Beckstrom’s death Thursday evening.
The Attorney General’s office said the charges against the suspect, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, include one count of first-degree murder, three counts of possession of a firearm during a violent crime, and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Pirro added that “it’s too early” to discuss a motive for the attack.
Here’s what is known so far:
The National Guard Members Involved
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The two National Guard members who were shot were from the West Virginia National Guard, which deployed hundreds of troops to the nation’s capital as part of a crime-fighting mission ordered by President Trump. The mission involved taking control of the local police department, and nearly 2,200 National Guard members were deployed to Washington, D.C.
Both Beckstrom and Wolfe had been in Washington D.C. since August, according to the West Virginia National Guard.
Beckstrom was a native of Webster Springs, West Virginia, and entered service in June 2023. Wolfe, from Martinsburg, West Virginia, enlisted in February 2019.
“There will be justice for Sarah. Continue to pray for Andrew. Thank you, President Trump: the death penalty is back,” Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on social media.
Following the shooting, confusion arose regarding the condition of the service members after West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey initially posted on social media that both had died. He later corrected himself, stating his office was “receiving conflicting reports” about their status.
How the Attack Near the White House Unfolded
Pirro explained that the suspect drove across the country to launch an “ambush-style” attack with a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver.
A video reviewed by investigators showed the attacker “turned the corner” and immediately began firing at the troops, according to Jeffery Carroll, assistant chief of police for DC.
At least one National Guard member returned fire, a law enforcement official told the AP. The official, who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly, spoke on condition of anonymity.
The troops subdued the attacker and held him until police arrived, Carroll said. Authorities believe he acted alone.
Carroll said it was unclear whether one of the National Guard members or a law enforcement officer shot the suspect, and investigators currently have no information regarding a potential motive.
The suspect’s injuries were not considered life-threatening, one of the officials said.
The Suspect’s Journey to the United States
Lakanwal, 29, entered the U.S. in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, a program established by the Biden administration to evacuate and resettle tens of thousands of Afghans following the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from the country, according to authorities.
Lakanwal applied for asylum during the Biden administration, but was ultimately approved under the current Trump administration, AfghanEvac said in a statement.
The initiative brought approximately 76,000 people to the United States, many of whom had worked alongside U.S. troops and diplomats as interpreters and translators.
The program has drawn criticism from President Trump and other Republicans, who have argued there are flaws in the vetting process and the speed of admissions.
Advocates have said the initiative offered a lifeline to people at risk of retribution by the Taliban at the time.
Prior to arriving in the U.S., the suspect worked with the U.S. government, including the CIA, “as a member of an associated force in Kandahar,” said John Ratcliffe, the agency’s former director, in a statement.
Ratcliffe did not specify what work Lakanwal did, but said the relationship “ended shortly after the chaotic evacuation” of U.S. personnel from Afghanistan.
Trump on Wednesday called the shooting a “terrorist attack” and criticized the Biden administration for allowing Afghans who collaborated with U.S. forces during the war in Afghanistan to enter the United States without, in his view, sufficient vetting.
Family of Shooting Suspect Speaks Out
A resident of the eastern Afghan province of Khost, who identified himself as Lakanwal’s cousin, said his relative was originally from the province.
The man, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity out of fear of retribution, said Lakanwal had worked as a security guard for the unit in 2012, and was later promoted to team leader and GPS specialist.
A former official with the unit, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said Lakanwal was a team leader and his brother was a platoon leader.
The Zero Units were paramilitary units comprised of Afghans, but backed by the CIA.
Activists had attributed abuses to these units. The cousin said Lakanwal began working as a security guard for the unit in 2012, and then was promoted to team leader and GPS specialist.
The former owner of Lakanwal’s home in the United States, Kristina Widman, said he had been living in Washington state with his wife and five children.
Pirro said Lakanwal currently faces charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm during a violent crime. The charges could be elevated, she added.
