The suspected Afghan terrorist accused of ambushing two National Guard soldiers faces an upgraded first-degree murder charge now that one of them has died, US Attorney for DC Jeanine Pirro announced Friday – saying he “should” pay “the ultimate price.”
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, is accused of gunning down 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and leaving her fellow Guardsman, Andrew Wolfe, 24, critically wounded when he allegedly opened fire just blocks from the White House on Wednesday.
“There are certainly many more charges to come, but we are upgrading the initial charges of assault to murder in the first degree,” Pirro told Fox News’ “Fox & Friends.”
Suspect Rahmanullah Lakanwal will now face upgraded murder charges after the death of a National Guard soldier. FBIThe upgraded charges come after Beckstrom tragically died of her injuries in a hospital on Thanksgiving.
Prior to her death, the crazed suspect had already been facing charges of assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence over the bloodshed.
“What happened at that crime is unmistakable. It is a premeditated murder. There was an ambush with a gun toward people who didn’t know it was coming,” Pirro said.
Footage of the immediate aftermath of a shooting of two National Guard members near the White House. Elizabeth Gomes via Storyful 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom succumbed to her wounds on Thursday night. Joint Force Headquarters – West Virginia National GuardFollow the latest on the National Guard shooting in Washington, DC:
Sarah Beckstrom, one of the National Guardsmen shot by crazed Afghan refugee, dies at 20: ‘Looking down at us’ Two National Guard troops shot near White House in suspected terror attack, alleged gunman in custody DC terror suspect will have charges upgraded to murder: Pirro Top Trump intel official reveals DC terror suspect wasn’t vetted for entry to US Afghan terror suspect ‘disappeared’ roughly 2 weeks before ambushing National Guard troops in DC, neighbor says“This is a case that has touched the hearts of so many Americans… to be gunned down on the streets on the nation’s holiday is an outrage — and the individual who did this will pay the ultimate price.”
“As well he should, when and if a jury returns a verdict that we will be seeking.”
Beckstrom’s fellow Guardsman, Andrew Wolfe, is critically wounded from the incident. REUTERS U.S. service members line the streets of Washington, D.C., during an honor escortâalso known as a fallen soldier processionâfor U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom. Joint Task Force DC
Attorney General Pam Bondi had already vowed to pursue the death penalty against the suspect.
“I will tell you early, we will do everything in our power to seek the death penalty against that monster who should not have been in our country,” Bondi said before the young Guard’s death was confirmed.
Lakanwal, who came to the US four years ago after serving in a CIA-backed elite Afghan commando “Zero Unit”, allegedly targeted the troops after driving across the country from his home in Washington state, authorities said.
A motive for the attack still hasn’t been confirmed.
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