W.Va. National Guard shooting suspect hospitalized for refusing “adequate nutrition”
Thu, July 9, 2026 at 9:54 PM
The man accused of shooting two West Virginia National Guard members in November has been hospitalized, court records said. (U.S. Attorney’s Office)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WCHS) —The man accused of shooting two West Virginia National Guard members in November has been hospitalized, court records said
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 30, of Afghanistan was taken to a hospital on Wednesday, according to the filing made to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia
Prosecutors said they learned of Lakanwal’s hospitalization on Thursday morning, describing it as an emergency hospitalization “for medical treatment necessary to preserve his life.” Lakanwal’s hospitalization comes weeks after representatives with the United States Marshals Service said he was refusing to “consume adequate nutrition for an extended period.”
The U.S. Marshals said Lakanwal was at risk for long-term health consequences, including death, because of this. According to the filing, prosecutors were instructed at the end of an emergency hearing to submit and order requesting Lakanwal’s medical records for the duration of his hospital stay
Lakanwal has been in federal custody since November after he allegedly shot U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and SSgt. Andrew Wolfe on Nov. 26 near the Farragut Square Metro Station near the White House while the two were on deployment at the request of President Donald Trump
Beckstrom, 20, died the next day from her injuries and was laid to rest with full military honors. She was posthumously awarded the West Virginia Distinguished Service Medal in March by Gov. Patrick Morrisey. Meanwhile, Wolfe, 25, survived the shooting and is continuing to make progress in his recovery, most recently being named a Freedom 250: Hometown Hero
Beckstrom and Wolfe both received the Purple Heart earlier in the year
Rahmanullah Lakanwal has been in federal custody since November after he allegedly shot U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and SSgt. Andrew Wolfe on Nov. 26 in Washington, D.C. (U.S. Attorney’s Office)
Lakanwal pleaded not guilty in his first court appearance in February
