National guard shooting suspect spent ‘weeks on end’ in isolation, emails show

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 3 min read 100% complete by Lucy Campbell and agenciesDecember 1, 2025 at 10:26 PM

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Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the suspect in the fatal shooting of a National Guard soldier in Washington D.C. on Thanksgiving eve, had a history of mental health struggles. Emails reveal that Lakanwal, who arrived in the U.S. in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome after working with a CIA-backed unit in Afghanistan, experienced increasing isolation and erratic behavior. Community members noted his inability to hold a job or maintain consistent engagement with English courses, alternating between periods of isolation and reckless travel. Concerns about his mental state escalated, with one advocate fearing he was suicidal. Lakanwal is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Sarah Beckstrom and the critical wounding of Andrew Wolfe.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Afghanistan ×250% Bellingham 60% United States ×580% Rahmanullah Lakanwal ×9100% Sarah Beckstrom ×2100% Andrew Wolfe ×2100%

Keywords

rahmanullah lakanwal 90% mental health 90% national guard shooting 80% isolation 70% assimilation 60% refugee resettlement 60% operation allies welcome 50% violence 40% afghan army unit 40%