The Troubled Path to Tragedy: The Rahmanullah Lakanwal Story

A Quiet Deterioration

In the months before the Thanksgiving shooting near the White House that left one National Guard member dead and another critically wounded, Rahmanullah Lakanwal’s life was quietly unraveling. According to emails and interviews reviewed by The Associated Press, the 29-year-old Afghan man had been showing escalating signs of mental decline for over a year. His concerning behavior began around March 2023, when he abruptly quit his job and began shutting himself away in a darkened room for days at a time. The once-functioning father and provider stopped responding even to his wife and older children. What began as concerning behavior evolved into an alarming pattern that would ultimately culminate in violence that stunned the nation. While those close to him worried he might harm himself, they never imagined he would direct violence toward others, creating a tragic disconnect between the warning signs they observed and the assistance they sought.

From Afghan Soldier to American Refugee

Lakanwal’s story begins far from Washington, D.C. Before arriving in the United States in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, he had served in a “Zero Unit” of the Afghan Army—special forces backed by the CIA that were involved in some of the most intense fighting of the war. Advocates working with Afghan evacuees have noted that many former members of these units carry deep trauma from years of conflict, though investigators have not confirmed whether this military background played any role in his deteriorating mental health. After resettling in America, Lakanwal initially tried to build a new life, enrolling in English classes and seeking employment. However, his adjustment to American life seemed increasingly strained as time passed. The transition from soldier to refugee, from one culture to another, created stresses that may have contributed to his declining stability, though the full psychological impact remains part of the ongoing investigation into his motives and mindset.

Warning Signs and Missed Opportunities

The emails reviewed by the AP paint a concerning picture of escalating instability and behavior that alarmed those around Lakanwal. He abandoned his English classes, moved between short-term jobs without establishing stability, and his family life showed visible signs of dysfunction. His children sometimes arrived at school unwashed or wearing the same clothes for days, indicating the household was in disarray. Perhaps most alarming were what one advocate described as “‘manic’ episodes” lasting one or two weeks at a time, during which Lakanwal would impulsively take the family car and “drive nonstop” on cross-country trips to places like Chicago and Arizona. These episodes left his wife repeatedly managing the fallout of his unpredictable behavior. In March 2024, staff from the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants traveled to Bellingham to check on Lakanwal after receiving warnings about his mental state, but the effort reportedly led to no meaningful contact. The advocate who sought help believes Lakanwal declined the organization’s assistance, representing another missed opportunity for intervention in the months before the shooting.

The Thanksgiving Tragedy

The culmination of Lakanwal’s deterioration came the night before Thanksgiving 2024, when authorities say he opened fire near the White House, killing West Virginia National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and critically injuring Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24. The shooting shocked Washington and the nation, particularly given its proximity to the White House and the targeting of military personnel. The attack raised immediate and troubling questions about how a person with Lakanwal’s declining mental state could have slipped through various safety nets despite documented concerns stretching back more than a year. The FBI, under Director Kash Patel, has been investigating potential motives, though investigators have not yet confirmed any ideological influence behind the attack. As Wolfe remains hospitalized, the human cost of this tragedy continues to unfold, affecting not just the immediate victims but rippling through their families, communities, and the broader conversation about mental health resources and intervention.

The Contradiction of Violence

Perhaps most disturbing for those who knew Lakanwal is the stark contradiction between the man they observed and the violence he allegedly perpetrated. The advocate who had sought help for him spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity, expressing shock upon learning he was the shooting suspect. Despite Lakanwal’s mounting problems at home, the advocate recalled moments when he played gently with his young sons, showing tenderness that seemed completely at odds with the violence he would later commit. This contradiction highlights the complex nature of mental health crises and the difficulty in predicting when deteriorating mental health might lead to violence against others. For the advocate and others who interacted with Lakanwal, reconciling the troubled but non-violent man they knew with the alleged shooter has been a painful process, compounded by questions about whether they could have done more to prevent the tragedy.

Lessons and Accountability

As Lakanwal faces charges of first-degree murder, the investigation continues into how multiple warning signs failed to trigger effective intervention. The advocate who had sought help for him is now cooperating with investigators, helping authorities piece together his final months and the broader systemic failures that preceded the shooting. This case raises critical questions about the resources available to refugees experiencing mental health crises, particularly those with trauma histories from conflict zones. It also highlights potential gaps in communication between refugee assistance organizations, mental health providers, and law enforcement when concerns about an individual’s stability arise. For policymakers, mental health professionals, and refugee advocates alike, the Lakanwal case represents a tragic opportunity to examine how support systems might be strengthened to prevent similar tragedies in the future. As Staff Sgt. Wolfe continues his recovery and Specialist Beckstrom’s family mourns her loss, the need for answers and accountability remains urgent, driving both the ongoing criminal investigation and broader policy discussions about refugee mental health support and crisis intervention.