Post by : Badri Ariffin

In a distressing incident outside the White House, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan asylum seeker, opened fire on two National Guard personnel, resulting in the death of one. Lakanwal, who sustained injuries during the confrontation, has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and firearm offenses from his hospital bed.

The victim, 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom from West Virginia, was tragically killed, while her fellow soldier, Andrew Wolfe, remains in critical condition. Lakanwal faces serious charges including first-degree murder and assault with intent to kill. A federal judge has ordered him to remain in custody until his next court appearance on January 14.

According to officials, Lakanwal relocated to the United States through a resettlement program after the American troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. There are allegations suggesting he may have become radicalized shortly after his arrival and traveled across the United States leading up to his attack on Thanksgiving Eve. Witnesses reported him shouting “Allahu Akbar!” during the shooting.

This shocking event has sparked renewed discussions regarding U.S. asylum policies. Following the attack, the Trump administration halted visas for Afghan nationals and put all asylum case decisions on hold, stating concerns over the vetting processes. Notably, Lakanwal had previously been involved with a CIA-backed Afghan “partner force” during the conflict with the Taliban.

The Department of Justice has also pointed to a related incident in Texas, where 30-year-old Afghan national Mohammad Dawood Alokozay was apprehended for allegedly making threats of a suicide attack in a viral social media video.

This devastating attack marks an unusual but fatal clash on American soil involving a resettled Afghan individual, raising serious concerns about security, radicalization, and the oversight of immigration processes.

#Global News