Rahmanullah Lakanwal, Afghan Asylum Seeker, Faces Possible Death Penalty in U.S. Capital Shooting Case

Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan asylum seeker accused of a deadly shooting near the White House, now faces federal charges that could result in the death penalty.

The case of Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan asylum seeker accused of a deadly shooting near the White House, has reached a critical stage as U.S. prosecutors pursue federal charges that could lead to the death penalty. The case has been transferred from a local Washington, D.C. court to a federal court, since capital punishment is not permitted under the district’s local jurisdiction but can be considered at the federal level.

The shooting took place on November 26, just steps from the White House. Twenty-year-old National Guard soldier Sarah Beckstrom later died from her injuries, while 24-year-old Air Force sergeant Andrew Wolf survived but suffered severe wounds and remains under medical care. Security camera footage shows the suspect opening fire and then pursuing another service member before shooting again.

According to court records, Lakanwal obtained a handgun stolen in Washington state approximately two weeks before the attack and transported it across state lines to the U.S. capital. He now faces multiple federal charges, including interstate transportation of a stolen firearm, acquiring a weapon with intent to commit a crime, and using a firearm during a violent offense.

Prosecutors are expected to clarify at the next court hearing, scheduled for the second of next month, whether they will formally seek the death penalty. Legal experts say the decision could set a significant precedent due to the suspect’s asylum status and the location of the attack.

Beyond the legal proceedings, the case has had far-reaching political and social consequences. In the aftermath of the shooting, the U.S. government paused the processing of many asylum and visa applications from Afghanistan, leaving thousands of Afghans awaiting family reunification, residency, or refugee resettlement in prolonged uncertainty.

Afghan communities in states such as Virginia, Maryland, Washington, and California—where large numbers of Afghans have settled since 2021—report rising fear, discrimination, and mistrust. Migrant rights organizations warn that attributing an individual crime to an entire community risks serious social and psychological harm.

The case has also become a flashpoint in U.S. political debates, particularly during election campaigns. Critics of immigration policies argue the shooting exposes weaknesses in refugee screening systems, while refugee advocates counter that politicizing the incident unfairly punishes innocent families and fuels anti-immigrant sentiment.

As the court prepares for its next steps, Lakanwal’s case stands at the intersection of security, justice, and immigration policy. It may result in the first death sentence sought against an Afghan asylum seeker in the United States, while also shaping Washington’s future approach toward Afghan migrants. For many families in both the U.S. and Afghanistan, the outcome will carry lasting consequences well beyond the courtroom.

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