Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, is accused of shooting two National Guard soldiers on November 26, 2024, an incident that resulted in the death of 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and left 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe in serious condition. Reports from a volunteer involved in refugee resettlement who worked with Lakanwal’s family indicate he experienced a period of personal crisis prior to the alleged attack.
The volunteer, who requested anonymity due to safety concerns, stated that Lakanwal appeared hopeful upon his arrival in the U.S. in 2022. By 2023, however, he reportedly became isolated, struggling to find steady employment and adapt to American life. Emails shared by the volunteer from January 2024 described Lakanwal spending most of his time in a darkened room and not communicating with his family. The volunteer, noting they were not a healthcare professional, suggested Lakanwal might be suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) related to his work with the U.S. military in Afghanistan.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem indicated that U.S. officials believe Lakanwal was "radicalized" within the U.S., potentially through connections in his home community and state. Conversely, the volunteer who interacted with Lakanwal in Washington state reported no signs of radicalization, instead characterizing his situation as a personal crisis exacerbated by language barriers and cultural isolation. The volunteer also highlighted a perceived lack of organized support resources for refugees beyond initial resettlement efforts.
Prior to his arrival in the U.S. in 2021, Lakanwal served in an elite Afghan counterterrorism unit, which was supported by the CIA and U.S. military in fighting the Taliban. CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed Lakanwal’s admission to the U.S. was due to his prior association with the U.S. Government, including the CIA. The volunteer stated they were unaware of Lakanwal expressing hostility toward the U.S. or exhibiting behavior that suggested a threat.
Lakanwal’s behavior reportedly included taking unannounced cross-country drives, lasting weeks at a time, to states like Arizona and Illinois, during which he maintained minimal contact with his family. Concerns about his deteriorating mental state prompted volunteers in Washington state to seek assistance from professional refugee aid organizations, including World Relief and the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI). While USCRI did not respond, World Relief issued a statement declining to confirm specific client involvement but affirming support for law enforcement investigations.
In the aftermath of the incident, the Trump administration has frozen refugee cases involving Afghan nationals and initiated a review of migrants from various countries residing in the U.S. Advocacy groups, such as AfghanEvac, led by Navy veteran Shawn VanDiver, have characterized Lakanwal’s alleged actions as an isolated case, emphasizing that the majority of Afghan refugees are law-abiding citizens.