Military Shooting Accused Was Isolated for Weeks Alone in Bedroom, Case Worker's Message Said.
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The man alleged to have carried out firing upon two National Guard members in Washington DC last week had according to accounts passed weeks at a time alone in a dimly lit room and experienced "manic episodes," according to notes written in 2024 by a case worker who assisted the suspect's family.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal is accused of carrying out an "surprise attack" that took the life of Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and critically wounded Andrew Wolf, 24.
Officials stated the 29-year-old came to the US in 2021 as part of a initiative for individuals from Afghanistan who had worked with US forces in Afghanistan.
Emerging Information on Psychological State
According to emails from last year, Mr. Lakanwal struggled with his mental health.
In a different message sent on January 31st of last year, the worker noted Mr. Lakanwal "passes the majority of his days for consecutive weeks in his darkened room, refusing to talk to anyone, not even his wife and older kids."
The individual, who was not a clinician, also said Mr. Lakanwal had "manic episodes 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 "apologize and reconcile."
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History and Recent Events
Mr. Lakanwal, an Afghan national, came to the US via the Biden-era Operation Allies Welcome. This was in the wake after the disorderly US military exit from Afghanistan.
He applied for refugee status in 2024, and his request was approved earlier this year.
He lived with his family in a city in Washington state.
"Aid group workers are trying to patch things for that family - but I think the father has mental health issues that are not addressed, and he won't talk to anybody," one part of an previous email reads.
Last week, a longtime acquaintance informed a newspaper that Mr. Lakanwal had dealt with psychological challenges after his service with his team in Afghanistan.
Mr. Lakanwal had allegedly been a part of a "special unit" - an local intelligence and paramilitary force that worked with a US intelligence agency.
Government Response and Charges
In the days after the shooting in the capital, the President pledged to "permanently pause immigration" from certain countries.
The government has paused all asylum decisions "until we can ensure that every individual is vetted and screened to the fullest extent," a director stated.
Mr. Lakanwal, who was injured in the event and is still hospitalized, is facing murder charges.
