Washington: The Afghan citizen accused of shooting two National Guard members in Washington He will be charged with murder After one of the soldiers was killed, according to what an American official indicated on Friday.
“There will undoubtedly be many other charges, but we are working to upgrade the initial charges from assault to first-degree murder,” the prosecutor in the nation’s capital said. janine piro, About the charges Most Gracious God Lakanwal, A 29-year-old Afghan national took refuge in the United States after cooperating with North American forces.
“It’s a premeditated murder. It happened.” Ambush with a gun “Against people who do not know what is coming to them,” the prosecutor added.
President Donald Trump announced the death of Sarah Beckstrom on Thursday, A 20-year member of the West Virginia National Guard has been deployed to D.C. as part of the department’s crackdown on crime. Sgt Andrew Wolf(24 years old), the other person injured by bullets, is still in serious condition.
Lakanwal faced charges of assault with intent to murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a violent crime. But Perot was anticipating these accusations It will be raised to first-degree murder If the victims do not survive.
Lakanwal Shoot a group of guards with a pistol Who were patrolling near the White House. The young man lives in Washington State (northwest) and has crossed the United States from coast to coast to reach the capital.
A video reviewed by investigators shows Lakanwal He “appeared around the corner” on Wednesday afternoon and immediately opened fire on the soldiers, As explained by Geoffrey Carroll, Deputy Chief of the Metropolitan Police
The forces fled and detained the shooter who is believed to have been the lone gunman. Carroll said it was unclear whether it was a member of the guard or a police officer who shot Lakhanwal, who was injured but out of danger.
Pirro refused to talk about it The suspect’s motiveHe stated that the authorities are working tirelessly on this case. He added that investigators continue to implement arrest warrants.
The prosecutor stated that she felt sorry for Beckstrom’s family, who volunteered to serve and “ended up being shot in an ambush.” On the cold streets of Washington By an individual who will now be charged with first-degree murder.
“We are doing everything possible To help your family “And making sure they have everything they need during this difficult time,” he said of Wolfe, saying “we still have hope” for his recovery.
The defendant was a member of the Afghan Services’ “Unit Zero,” a CIA-backed counterterrorism group, and settled in the United States as a refugee. Like 76,000 other Afghans Who cooperated with American forces and diplomats mobilized in Afghanistan for 20 years (2001-2021), between the fall of the Taliban and the return of that group to power.
Governor of West Virginia, patrick Morrissey, He issued a proclamation asking all residents of the state to abide by it A moment of silence or prayer 2:15pm this Friday in honor of Wolfe and Beckstrom. He also ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in recognition of Beckstrom’s death.
Wolfe serves in the 167th Force Support SquadronBeckstrom served in the 863rd Military Police CompanyThe governor stated this in a press statement.
“These are two champions in West Virginia They were serving our country and protecting our nation’s capital “When they were attacked,” Morrissey said. “Their courage and commitment to duty represent the best of our state.”
The shooting raised three politically explosive issues: Trump’s controversial use of the military at home, immigration, and the legacy of the US war in Afghanistan.
According to the heads of the FBI, CIA and Department of Homeland Security, Lakanwal arrived in the United States. Without proper supervision Due to lenient asylum policies by the Joe Biden administration after the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
But the Afghan Evac group, which helped resettle Afghans in the United States after the military withdrawal, said that the citizens of the Asian country had gone through some difficult times. Security checks The most complete of all immigrants.
Agence France-Presse and the Associated Press