Afghan man accused of shooting two National Guard members pleads not guilty from hospital bed | World News
National Guard members Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe and Special Sarah Beckstrom. (Photo: AP)
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the Afghan national who is accused of shooting two National Guard troops in Washington DC, last week, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and assault charges.
Lakanwal made his initial court appearance on Tuesday video, from his hospital bed.
Lakanwal pleads not guilty
His attorney entered a not guilty plea on Lakanwal’s behalf after he was formally charged with murder and other offenses.
A Washington, DC judge ordered Lakanwal held in custody without bond, citing the “sheer terror” of the shooting blocks from the White House that killed one member of the National Guard and critically injured a second.
A man walks off after leaving a bouquet of flowers on a planter near the site where two National Guard members were shot in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Washington DC shooting
On Friday, November 26, Lakanwal traveled from Washington state to the US capital to carry out the attack, prosecutors alleged. He was shot during the incident and has remained hospitalised.Story continues below this ad
He opened fire on Special Sarah Beckstrom and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe of the West Virginia National Guard, outside the entrance to the Farragut West Metro station at 17th Street in Northwest Washington, just a few blocks from the White House.
While Beckstrom succumbed to her injuries the next day, Wolfe, who was also critically injured, is recovering in a hospital.
A photo is displayed of National Guard member Special Sarah Beckstrom, one of two National Guard members who were shot in Washington. (AP Photo/Kathleen Batten)
Trump speaks to families of National Guard members
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday spoke about the two National Guard troops during the cabinet meeting.
“I want to pay my deepest respects” to Wolfe and to Beckstrom, Trump said.Story continues below this ad
Trump said he spoke with the parents of both National Guard members, and that Wolfe’s mother insed her son would recover.
“No doctor thought that,” Trump said. “It would be a miracle” if Wolfe lives.
