Man charged with killing National Guard member is hospitalized

Key Points:

• Rahmanullah Lakanwal, accused of shooting two National Guard troops near the White House and killing one, has been hospitalized for a potentially life-threatening condition after refusing to eat while in pretrial custody.
• Prosecutors were informed by the U.S. Marshals Service that Lakanwal's refusal to consume adequate nutrition posed risks of long-term health consequences, including death.
• A federal judge held an emergency hearing regarding Lakanwal's medical status and requested prosecutors to obtain his recent medical records; courts have previously allowed involuntary feeding of hunger-striking prisoners to save their lives.
• Lakanwal, an Afghan national, pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder related to the November 2025 shooting of West Virginia National Guard Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and the critical wounding of Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe near the White House.
• The accused allegedly ambushed the troops after traveling from Washington state with a stolen firearm, shouting "Allahu Akbar!" during the attack; no trial date has been set.