Washington: US authorities are investigating the background of an Afghan asylum recipient accused of fatally shooting a National Guard member and critically injuring another in Washington, D.C., amid concerns over his mental health and alleged radicalization within the US, media reports said on Sunday.
According to Anadolu Agency, the suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, entered the US in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome following the withdrawal from Afghanistan and was granted asylum in April 2025 after undergoing extensive vetting. CBS News and NBC News reported that the vetting process had been initiated under the Biden administration and completed during the Trump administration, sparking a blame game between the two.
CBS obtained caseworker emails from early 2024 indicating that Lakanwal had struggled with mental health issues, unemployment, and isolation since at least March 2023. The emails described him as spending extended periods in his darkened bedroom, showing signs of manic episodes and possible PTSD from his military service alongside US forces in southern Afghanistan.
Shawn VanDiver, head of AfghanEvac, emphasized that this violent act does not reflect the Afghan community, noting that Afghans undergo extensive vetting compared to other immigrant groups. Despite these assurances, Lakanwal reportedly drove across the country from Bellingham to Washington, D.C., where 20-year-old Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom was killed, and 24-year-old Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe was critically injured.
Lakanwal was shot by a fellow Guard member and remains hospitalized on a ventilator, complicating interrogation efforts. US intelligence officials informed CBS that early reviews of Lakanwal's digital communications have found no evidence of ties to foreign extremist groups or handlers.
However, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated on NBC's 'Meet the Press' that Lakanwal was radicalized in the US, implying local influences may have contributed. She mentioned connections in his home community and state but offered no additional details or evidence.
NBC News reported that Lakanwal's asylum vetting process began under the Biden administration but was completed and approved during the Trump administration. Both administrations have traded blame, with former officials questioning the thoroughness of initial screening under Operation Allies Welcome. Attorney General Pam Bondi argued there was minimal to little vetting, a claim disputed by officials close to the process.
Lakanwal's mental health struggles were previously documented in January 2024, months before his asylum approval. A former Afghan commando told CBS that the death of Lakanwal's close friend, also a former Afghan officer, in 2024 deeply affected him.
US Attorney Jeanine Pirro confirmed last week that Lakanwal will face first-degree murder charges. The FBI and other agencies continue to investigate the attack and its motives.