Washington, D.C
DC National Guard shooting suspect pleads not guilty to 9 charges
The man accused of shooting two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., in November pleaded not guilty Wednesday to nine federal charges stemming from the incident.
Attorneys for 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal pleaded on his behalf in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, according to NewsNation’s Mark Lucivero. Lakanwal is charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, illegal possession of a firearm and six related charges.
The 29-year-old Lakanwal, who was hospitalized after the incident after he was shot by another Guard member, was present in court Wednesday in a wheelchair and relied on a translator throughout the hearing.
Twice, Lakanwal’s lawyers and translator had to briefly pause proceedings to explain to him what was happening.
Lakanwal, an Afghan national, is accused of shooting U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, both members of the West Virginia National Guard, near Farragut Square Metro Station in the area of 17th and I streets NW.
Beckstrom died from her injuries the day after the shooting. Wolfe’s mother, Melody Wolfe, wrote on Facebook over the weekend that her son remains in an in-patient rehab facility and is ready to begin an 8 to 12 week residential rehab program.
“Physically, Andy has healed really well and he will be having his cranioplasty (skull reconstruction) in early March,” she added. “It’s a very routine surgery and will allow for even more independence and recovery.”
When U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta asked federal prosecutors Wednesday whether they would pursue additional charges that would allow them to seek the death penalty in the case, they briefly deliberated before telling the judge they are pursuing “death-eligible charges.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi said in November, before Beckstrom died, that the Justice Department will seek the death penalty against Lakanwal.
“If something happens, I will tell you right now, I will tell you early, we will do everything in our power to seek the death penalty against that monster,” Bondi said on Fox News.
Mehta set the next hearing date in the case for May 6.
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Sunday, March 1, 2026 6:36AM
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — The San Francisco Ballet board has voted to cancel its upcoming performances at the Kennedy Center.
The company is scheduled for a four-day run in Washington D.C. in May.
Petition urges SF Ballet to cancel Kennedy Center tour stop as company opens 2026 season
Last year, Pres. Donald Trump overhauled the Kennedy Center’s board, including naming himself the chairman.
That led several artists to cancel scheduled performances.
A statement from SF Ballet says the group “looks forward to performing for Washington, D.C. audiences in the future.”
Copyright © 2026 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.
At 97, Veteran Harley Wero wasn’t up for a trip to the nation’s capital, so volunteers from the Western North Dakota honor flight brought the trip to him. Wero, his wife Muriel and their daughter Jennifer got to experience Washington, DC, without ever leaving their home.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
Posted
WASHINGTON – Beginning on Monday, the D.C. Department of Health will be conducting daily tests for E. coli in the Potomac and Anacostia rivers.
It comes more than five weeks after the Potomac interceptor collapse sent millions of gallons of sewage into the river.
The testing will also coincide with an important safety advisory being lifted.
Why it matters:
Director of the D.C. Department of Health, Dr. Ayanna Bennett, says they will begin daily testing for E. coli in the Potomac and Anacostia rivers on Monday, along with help from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Currently, D.C. is only testing weekly.
“We feel really secure that the initial sewage is not a threat to people, it’s passed through some time ago, but we do want to get more information about what the long term condition of the river is gonna be and how we should look at it going forward.”
Big picture view:
Monday is also an important day because it’s when the District is expected to lift its advisory that recommends against recreational activities on the Potomac — we’re talking boating, fishing, walking pets by the water.
It’s important to note, however, that D.C.’s advisory pertains to its portion of the Potomac, and it has no bearing on advisories issued by officials in Maryland or Virginia.
Still, this is being treated by many as a hopeful sign.
What they’re saying:
But significant concerns absolutely remain for residents.
“I’ve had tons of messages from people saying they’re not going to let their kids row crew, they’re not going to go to sailing schools. We catch three million tons of blue cats out of the Potomac River. That season starts next week, and they’re not gonna be able to bring those blue cats to market,” said Dean Naujoks with the Potomac Riverkeepers.
“You knew years ago that parts of this Potomac Interceptor were corroded and vulnerable, especially where it broke, in Cabin John, our neighborhood,” one resident said, speaking at a public meeting in Bethesda on Thursday.
“I know there are small business owners here. Who’s accounting for all of our losses that we’re getting due to your sewer blowing up?” another resident asked.
Officials with D.C. Water, which is a public utility, have been running daily tests and will continue to do so as well.
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