NonilexFeb 4

#Trump #DOJ plans to seek #DeathPenalty for man accused of shooting #NationalGuard members

The Justice Dept said it will seek the death penalty for the man accused of shooting 2 National Guard members, & killing one of them, near the White House in November.

The man, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, pleaded not guilty to the 9 charges against him — including first-degree #murder — during his initial appearance in federal court Wednesday.

#law
https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/04/politics/death-penalty-accused-national-guard-shooter

Justice Department plans to seek death penalty for man accused of shooting National Guard members

The Justice Department said it will seek the death penalty for the man accused of shooting two National Guard members, and killing one of them, near the White House in November.

CNN
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When Judge Amit Mehta pressed prosecutors on whether they would be pursuing additional charges that would allow them to seek the #DeathPenalty for Lakanwal, prosecutors waffled, eventually telling the judge they are pursuing “death-eligible charges.”

According to court documents, Lakanwal traveled from Washington state to DC in late November before he ambushed the 2 officers, shooting them both in the head with a snub-nosed revolver.

#law #NationalGuard

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Another #NationalGuard member, having heard the shots, pulled out his service weapon & shot Lakanwal, who fell to the ground & was quickly detained, court records say.

#SarahBeckstrom, one of the National Guard members who was shot in the back of the head, was pronounced dead the next day. The other member, Andrew Wolfe, is still in recovery.

Lakanwal worked with the #CIA for over a decade in #Afghanistan before the #US #military withdrew from the country. He came to the US in 2021.

#law

Feb 4 at 4:31pmWeb