Isolation and Erratic Actions: The Path to the White House Shooting

Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the Afghan national accused of shooting two National Guard members near the White House, had been experiencing significant personal turmoil characterized by deep isolation and erratic behavior, individuals close to him have revealed. Lakanwal struggled to maintain employment and would frequently isolate himself in a dark room for days, interspersed with sudden, extensive road trips across the nation. His concerning conduct led a community advocate to approach a refugee organization earlier this year with fears that he might pose a danger to himself. Emails obtained through public records expose a pattern of documented concerns about his mental health and personal struggles over several months, painting a stark picture of his difficult life in the United States. The shooting occurred last Wednesday, just prior to Thanksgiving. Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, a member of the West Virginia National Guard, lost her life, while Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, sustained critical injuries. Lakanwal, aged 29, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder. People who knew him expressed profound shock, recalling him as a father who played with his young sons and never envisioned him causing harm. Lakanwal arrived in the U.S. in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome after serving in an elite Afghan Army “Zero Unit” that had collaborated closely with U.S. forces. He relocated to Bellingham, Washington, with his wife and five young sons. However, correspondence sent to the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) illustrated his considerable difficulties in adapting to life in America. An email from January 2024 indicated that he had been unemployed since March 2023, describing prolonged periods of seclusion where he would remain alone in a dark room, cut off from all communication, including with his family. The family also faced financial distress, with unpaid rent leading to the threat of eviction. Although Lakanwal sometimes demonstrated improvement by engaging with resettlement services, these periods were often followed by intense “manic” episodes that involved extensive, unplanned driving trips across the country. Concerns were also raised about the children’s welfare, with reports of them not being properly cared for, including issues with hygiene, nutrition, and schooling, particularly when Lakanwal was the sole caregiver. Following these warnings, USCRI staff visited Bellingham in March 2024, but the community advocate later indicated they had no further contact and believed Lakanwal had rejected continued support.