DOJ seeks death penalty for alleged White House-area National Guard shooter

The Justice Department plans to seek the death penalty for Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the man accused of shooting two National Guard members near the White House in November, killing one and wounding the other. Lakanwal pleaded not guilty to nine charges, including first-degree murder, as prosecutors indicated they will pursue death-eligible charges. Court records say he traveled from Washington state to D.C., ambushed the guards with a stolen pistol, and was detained after being shot by another guard member; Beckstrom died, Wolfe remains in recovery. Investigators noted Lakanwal’s past CIA work in Afghanistan, his Uber/Lyft driving, his purchase of bullets the day of the attack, and his search for the White House address. His next hearing is set for early May.