National Guard Shooting Accused Spent Weeks Isolated in Bedroom, Social Worker's Email Said.
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The individual alleged to have carried out firing upon two National Guard members in the nation's capital recently had reportedly passed weeks at a time alone in a dark room and experienced "periods of mania," according to notes documented in 2024 by a support worker that helped the individual's family.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal is accused of perpetrating an "surprise attack" that took the life of Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and seriously injured Andrew Wolf, 24.
Authorities stated the 29-year-old entered the US in 2021 as part of a initiative for individuals from Afghanistan who had assisted American troops in Afghanistan.
Revealed Information on Psychological State
Based on emails from last year, Mr. Lakanwal faced challenges with his psychological well-being.
In a different message dated on January 31st of last year, the case worker said Mr. Lakanwal "passes most of his time for consecutive weeks in his darkened room, refusing to talk to a soul, including his spouse and children."
The individual, who was not a clinician, also added Mr. Lakanwal had "manic episodes for one or two weeks at a time where he would drive away in the family car." They also described he had periods in which he would try to "make amends."
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Background and Recent Developments
Mr. Lakanwal, an Afghan national, entered the US via the Biden-era resettlement program. This was during the period after the disorderly US military exit from Afghanistan.
He sought asylum in 2024, and his request was approved earlier this year.
He lived with his family in Bellingham, Washington.
"Aid group workers are trying to patch things for that family - but I think the father has psychological problems that are untreated, and he won't talk to anybody," a section of an previous email states.
Last week, a longtime acquaintance informed a publication that Mr. Lakanwal had experienced mental health issues after his service with his unit in Afghanistan.
Mr. Lakanwal had allegedly been a member of a "Zero Unit" - an local intelligence and paramilitary force that collaborated with a American spy agency.
Official Reaction and Legal Proceedings
In the aftermath of the attack in Washington DC, the President vowed to "permanently pause migration" from certain countries.
The government has halted all asylum decisions "to guarantee that every individual is thoroughly investigated to the fullest extent," a senior official stated.
Mr. Lakanwal, who was shot during the incident and is still hospitalized, faces homicide accusations.
