New Affidavit Reveals Suspect Sought Heavy Firepower and Searched for White House
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Federal prosecutors have officially taken charge of the case against Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the man accused of the Thanksgiving week ambush that killed one National Guard member and critically injured another. The move from Superior Court to U.S. District Court signals a major escalation in the prosecution, specifically allowing the Department of Justice to consider the death penalty.
Alongside the jurisdictional shift, a newly unsealed FBI affidavit provides chilling details regarding Lakanwal’s preparation, revealing that the suspect originally sought high-capacity assault weapons and specifically researched the White House days before the attack.
Death Penalty on the Table The transfer of jurisdiction is a procedural necessity for prosecutors to pursue capital punishment, as the District of Columbia does not have a local death penalty statute.
“The transfer of this case from Superior Court to District Court ensures that we can undertake the serious, deliberate, and weighty analysis required to determine if the death penalty is appropriate here,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro in a statement Tuesday.
Pirro emphasized the devastation caused to the victims’ families during the holidays. “Sarah Beckstrom was just 20 years old when she was killed… Andrew Wolfe, by the grace of God, survived but has a long road ahead in his recovery.”
Suspect Wanted “Draco” or AR-15 According to the affidavit filed by FBI Special Agent Ahmad Hassanpoor, Lakanwal’s intent to cause mass harm may have been limited only by the weapon he could acquire.
In mid-October, Lakanwal allegedly texted an acquaintance, identified as “W-1,” sending photos of an AR-15 rifle and a “Draco”—a compact, AK-47-style pistol capable of holding 30-round magazines. Lakanwal claimed he needed the weapon for protection while working as a rideshare driver. However, FBI investigators discovered that Lakanwal had been banned from Uber and had not driven for Lyft since May 2025.
When W-1 eventually provided Lakanwal with a stolen .357 Smith & Wesson revolver on November 14 in Bellingham, Washington, Lakanwal appeared disappointed by the weapon’s limited capacity.
According to the affidavit, “Lakanwal remarked with words to the effect of ‘only five rounds?’” W-1 told agents he was visibly shaking during the exchange, prompting Lakanwal to put an arm around him to calm him down.
Targeting the Capital The affidavit suggests the location of the shooting was not random. On November 15, the day after acquiring the gun, Lakanwal purchased ammunition at a Big 5 Sporting Goods store and immediately began researching Washington, D.C. on Google Maps.
On November 16, he specifically searched for “The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW.” The ambush on the National Guard members eventually took place at 17th and I Streets NW, approximately two blocks from the White House.
The Cross-Country Trip Investigators tracked Lakanwal’s movements via license plate readers and cell phone data. Driving a Toyota Prius, he traveled from Washington State through Idaho and Illinois, arriving in the District of Columbia on November 23.
Three days later, on the afternoon of November 26, Lakanwal allegedly opened fire on Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe near the Farragut West Metro Station. Beckstrom died the following day, Thanksgiving, while Wolfe remains in critical condition.
Lakanwal now faces federal charges of transporting a firearm with intent to commit a felony and transporting a stolen firearm, in addition to local charges of first-degree murder while armed and assault with intent to kill. He remains in custody.
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