NATIONAL NEWS

Man charged in National Guard shooting pleads not guilty during court appearance from hospital bed

Dec 2, 2025, 11:13 AM | Updated: 1:58 pm

A makeshift memorial for U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe ...

A makeshift memorial for U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe is seen outside of Farragut West Station, near the site where the two National Guard members were shot, Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

(AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

WASHINGTON (AP) — A man accused of shooting two National Guard troops near the White House pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to first-degree murder and assault charges.

Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who was also shot, made his initial court appearance by video from a hospital bed.

His attorney entered a not guilty plea on his behalf on the charges stemming from the Nov. 26 shooting that killed Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and wounded Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24.

Please follow our Community Guidelines

National News

President Donald Trump speaks during a dinner in the Rose Garden of the White House, Thursday, Sept...

Associated Press

The Latest: Postal chief says work has stopped on system key to Trump effort to limit mail voting

The top official at the U.S. Postal Service has said the agency has stopped work on developing a controversial computer system that was central to President Donald Trump’s effort to limit mail voting after the Supreme Court rejected his executive order this week. Also, a federal judge on Thursday ordered the Kennedy Center to provide […]

3 minutes ago

President Donald Trump listens as North Carolina Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley s...

Associated Press

Trump pushes his $5,000 ‘dividend’ pledge if GOP wins midterms. Republican candidates, not as much

President Donald Trump came to battleground North Carolina doubling down on a tantalizing and implausible midterm promise. “If we win,” he said, “we’re going to get you $5,000. So that’s it. Very simple.” The Republican candidates who spoke at the rally had nothing to say about it. Their silence reflects a broader pattern. About a […]

21 minutes ago

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer Christian Castro gets into a car surrounded by news rep...

Associated Press

ICE officer to appear in federal court for alleged false statement in nonfatal Minneapolis shooting

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — An immigration officer who is accused of shooting a Venezuelan man during the immigration crackdown in Minneapolis early this year, and then lying to investigators about what happened, is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court on Friday. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer Christian Castro faces a federal count of […]

23 minutes ago

U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche speaks at the Republican convention in Dallas, Wednesday, Sept. ...

Associated Press

Attorney General Blanche’s appearances at political events blur Justice Department boundaries

WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Todd Blanche is blurring traditional boundaries between politics and federal law enforcement with recent speeches at political events that mark a sharp departure from norms meant to protect the Justice Department from the appearance of partisan bias. Blanche took the stage this week at an event for a Republican Senate […]

1 hour ago

Vice President JD Vance waves as he arrives on Air Force Two, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at Joint Base...

Associated Press

JD Vance returns to Iowa as Senate and governor races heat up

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President JD Vance is headed to Iowa for the second time this year to campaign for Republican majorities in Congress as he lays the groundwork for his own political ambitions. Vance will be the headliner Friday at a midterm rally in Council Bluffs, on the western edge of the once-Republican stronghold […]

1 hour ago

FILE - Mark Twain Prize recipient Jon Stewart is introduced at the start of the 23rd annual Mark Tw...

Associated Press

Jon Stewart explains his ongoing philanthropic support of first responders

Jon Stewart says he never really decided to focus his charity efforts on first responders and their families. It just happened. The award-winning host of “The Daily Show” said he wanted to feel useful and support people who dedicated their lives to helping others. “These aren’t the X-Men,” Stewart told The Associated Press. “They’re not […]

3 hours ago

Man charged in National Guard shooting pleads not guilty during court appearance from hospital bed