DC National Guard shooting suspect to be charged with first-degree murder, Pirro says

[ad_1] The suspect within the "focused" capturing of two Nationwide Guardsmen in Washington, D.C., will now face fees upgraded to first-degree homicide after President Donald Trump introduced the loss of life of one of many victims late Thursday, U.S. Legal professional for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro mentioned Friday.

"There are definitely many extra fees to come back, however we're upgrading the preliminary fees of assault to homicide within the first diploma," Pirro mentioned Friday morning on Fox Information' "Fox & Associates."

The suspected gunman, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was beforehand charged with three counts of assault with the intent to kill whereas armed and legal possession of a weapon, officers mentioned throughout a press convention on Thursday.

Nationwide Guard members Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe.

U.S. Division of Justice

Lakanwal is accused of firing at two Nationwide Guard members, 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, on Wednesday afternoon.

The suspect allegedly "opened hearth with out provocation, ambush type," struck one of many victims, leaned over and shot the person once more, earlier than firing on the different Nationwide Guard member "a number of instances," Pirro mentioned on Thursday.

Video obtained by The Wall Road Journal reveals the second of the capturing. The footage briefly reveals Lakanwal brandishing a gun earlier than he runs off-camera. A Nationwide Guardsmen may also be seen within the video working and reloading his gun.

Video obtained by The Wall Road Journal reveals the second Rahmanullah Lakanwal opened hearth at two Nationwide Guardsmen in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 26, 2025.

Obtained by The Wall Road Journal

Trump introduced on Thursday night that Beckstrom, an Military specialist, had died.

"She's simply handed away. She's not with us. She's trying down at us proper now," Trump mentioned of Beckstrom. "Her dad and mom are together with her. It is simply occurred."

U.S. service members line the streets of Washington, D.C., throughout an honor escort, also called a fallen soldier procession, for U.S. Military Spc. Sarah Beckstrom of the West Virginia Nationwide Guard, Nov. 27, 2025.

Billy Blankenship/Joint Job Power DC

Andrew Wolfe, a U.S. Air Power employees sergeant, stays in important situation.

"The opposite younger man is combating for his life," Trump mentioned. "He is in very dangerous form. He is combating for his life."

The capturing came about round 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday close to the Farragut West Metro station.

Pirro mentioned the suspect, an Afghan nationwide, allegedly drove from Washington state to focus on the guard members, opening hearth with a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver.

Rahmanullah Lakanwal.

U.S. Division of Justice

The suspect's motive continues to be unclear, in line with officers.

A search warrant was performed on the suspect's dwelling in Bellingham, Washington, the place officers discovered "quite a few digital gadgets," FBI Director Kash Patel mentioned on Thursday.

Patel additionally famous the FBI acquired affirmation from the Division of Protection and CIA "that the topic had a relationship in Afghanistan with associate forces."

FBI Director Kash Patel speaks throughout a press convention with U.S. Legal professional for D.C. Jeanine Pirro and different authorities in regards to the capturing of two Nationwide Guard members, in Washington, D.C., Nov. 27, 2025.

Nathan Howard/Reuters

"We're totally investigating that side of his background as effectively, to incorporate any recognized associates which are both abroad or right here in the US of America," Patel mentioned.

Lakanwal is believed to be from Afghanistan and got here to the US in 2021 underneath the Biden administration, legislation enforcement sources mentioned. He utilized for asylum in 2024 and was granted asylum in April, seemingly after being vetted, underneath the Trump administration, in line with the sources.

<img alt="PHOTO: A makeshift memorial has been set up in honor of the two National Guard service members shot near the Farragut West Metro Station in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 28, 2025." class="hsDdd NDJZt sJeUN IJwXl vBqtr KrDt itslR SjwtZ hakZw HlUVI " data-testid="prism-image" draggable="false" loading="lazy" src="https://i.abcnewsfe.com/a/b310bec4-1446-49ad-96b3-472d3b3a0402/dc-memorial-gty-jt-251128_1764347840300_hpMain.jpg"/> A makeshift memorial has been arrange in honor of the 2 Nationwide Guard service members shot close to the Farragut West Metro Station in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 28, 2025, two days after a capturing killed one Nationwide Guard member and critically wounded one other.

Brendan Smialowski/AFP through Getty Photographs

The suspect, who has a spouse, 5 kids and a brother within the U.S., allegedly had been unable to discover a job as a result of he had an expired work allow, in line with a supply conversant in the suspect's circumstance.

Lakanwal, who had turn out to be extra remoted the previous few months and was rising determined, couldn't pay hire or meals and was counting on others, the supply added.

Individuals place flowers in a makeshift memorial arrange after two Nationwide Guard members had been shot, close to the White Home, in Washington, D.C., Nov. 28, 2025.

Nathan Howard/Reuters

The Nationwide Guard was deployed to the nation's capital as a part of Trump's federal takeover of the town and crime crackdown in August. Based on the newest replace, there have been 2,188 Nationwide Guard personnel assigned to D.C.

A day earlier than the capturing, throughout the conventional turkey pardoning on the White Home, Trump touted his administration's takeover of D.C. streets. He mentioned it was "considered one of our most unsafe locations wherever in the US. It's now thought of a very protected metropolis."

"You can stroll down any avenue in Washington and you are going to be simply effective. And I need to thank the Nationwide Guard. I need to thanks for the job you have performed right here is unimaginable," Trump mentioned on the occasion.