WASHINGTON D.C. — The man charged with shooting two members of the West Virginia National Guard as they patrolled the streets of Washington D.C. in November has entered not-guilty pleas to nine counts he faces in D.C. Federal Court.
Lakanwal appeared before U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta and was arraigned Wednesday. Lakanwal, an Afghan national, faces a murder charge for the death of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom. assault with intent to kill in the injuring of Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe and two additional counts of assault with intent to kill the two Guard members that subdued him after the shooting. Those charges were included in a federal indictment which was unsealed in January.
Lakanwal was initially charged in District of Columbia Superior Court with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, and firearm possession offenses. On Dec. 2, he pleaded not guilty to those charges. However, the case was transferred to U.S. District Court in D.C. to preserve the possibility of the death penalty as punishment in the case.
Wolfe continues his recovery but Beckstrom died a day after the shooting.
Beckstrom and Wolfe were in Washington, D.C. with other Guard members as part of President Donald Trump’s safe streets initiative. Beckstrom died on Thanksgiving Day while Wolfe continues his recovery at a rehabilitation hospital.
U.S. District Attorney Jeanine Pirro previously indicated her office would pursue a vigorous prosecution of Lakanwal.
Another status hearing is set for May 6th at 9 a.m. in the U.S. District Court in D.C. Lakanwal remains held without bond.