A Troubled Journey: The Story of Rahmanullah Lakanwal

Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, is accused of a shocking act: shooting two National Guard soldiers in Washington, D. C. One soldier, Sarah Beckstrom, died, and Andrew Wolfe is in serious condition. But who is Lakanwal, and what led to this tragic event? Lakanwal came to the U. S. in 2021, full of hope and energy. He was lively, outgoing, and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. However, over time, his behavior changed. He started to withdraw, isolate himself, and take long, unannounced drives across the country. A volunteer who worked closely with his family noticed these changes and grew concerned. The volunteer, who wished to remain anonymous, shared emails with NPR that painted a troubling picture. Lakanwal spent most of his time in a darkened room, not speaking to anyone, not even his wife and older kids. The volunteer believed he was suffering from PTSD and the struggles of adapting to life in the U. S. But they were not a healthcare professional, so their observations were based on personal interactions. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem suggested that Lakanwal was radicalized while living in the U. S. However, the volunteer who knew him well saw no signs of radicalization. Instead, they described a man in the midst of a deep personal crisis, struggling with language barriers and cultural isolation. The volunteer also highlighted the lack of organized resources for refugees beyond their initial welcome, leaving families to fend for themselves. Before coming to the U. S. , Lakanwal served in one of Afghanistan's elite counterterrorism units, supported by the CIA. CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed that Lakanwal was admitted into the U. S. due to his prior work with the U. S. government. However, the volunteer who knew Lakanwal had no detailed knowledge of his military duties and never observed him expressing hostility toward the U. S. The volunteer was shocked by the alleged attack, stating they saw no warning signs. They were aware of Lakanwal's long drives, but these were not seen as a threat. The volunteer group tried to reach out to professional refugee aid groups for help, but their efforts were met with limited response. Following the incident, the Trump administration froze refugee cases involving Afghan nationals and launched a review of refugees and migrants from more than a dozen countries living legally in the U. S. Activists working with asylum seekers from Afghanistan view Lakanwal's alleged violence as an isolated case, emphasizing that the vast majority of Afghans who have come to the U. S. are good, upstanding citizens.