National Guard Shooting Accused Was Isolated for Weeks Isolated in Bedroom, Social Worker's Email Said.
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The man accused of shooting two National Guard members in the nation's capital last week had reportedly spent weeks at a time in solitude in a dimly lit room and suffered from "periods of mania," according to notes documented in 2024 by a support worker that helped the suspect's family.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal is charged with perpetrating an "surprise attack" that took the life of Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and critically wounded Andrew Wolf, 24.
Authorities stated the man in his late twenties entered the US in 2021 as part of a initiative for individuals from Afghanistan who had assisted US forces in Afghanistan.
Revealed Details on Mental Health
Based on electronic correspondence from last year, Mr. Lakanwal faced challenges with his mental health.
In a separate email sent on January 31st of last year, the worker noted Mr. Lakanwal "passes most of his time for consecutive weeks in his blacked-out bedroom, not speaking to anyone, including his spouse and children."
The individual, who was not a mental health professional, also added Mr. Lakanwal had "hyperactive periods for a week or two at a time where he would take off in the family car." They also mentioned he had times in which he would try to "make amends."
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History and Current Events
Mr. Lakanwal, an citizen of Afghanistan, came to the US via the recent Operation Allies Welcome. This was in the wake after the disorderly US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.
He applied for refugee status in 2024, and his request was granted recently.
He lived with his wife and five children in Bellingham, Washington.
"World Relief volunteers are trying to patch things for that family - but I think the father has psychological problems that are untreated, and he won't talk to anybody," one part of an earlier email states.
Last week, a childhood friend informed a publication that Mr. Lakanwal had dealt with psychological challenges after his work with his unit in Afghanistan.
Mr. Lakanwal had reportedly been a part of a "Zero Unit" - an local intelligence and paramilitary force that collaborated with a US intelligence agency.
Official Reaction and Legal Proceedings
In the days after the attack in Washington DC, the President vowed to "permanently pause immigration" from certain countries.
The government has halted all asylum decisions "to guarantee that every individual is thoroughly investigated to the fullest extent," a senior official stated.
Mr. Lakanwal, who was injured during the incident and remains in hospital, faces homicide accusations.
