Suspect in D.C. National Guard shooting pleads not guilty
What’s next: Federal prosecutors will start a death penalty review before a Sept. 16 status hearing.
The man charged in the fatal shooting of two National Guard members near the White House pleaded not guilty Tuesday in federal court in Washington. Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 30, faces a 17-count superseding indictment that includes first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill while armed and two firearms counts, making the case eligible for the death penalty. Prosecutors allege Lakanwal drove from Bellingham, Washington, to the District of Columbia with a stolen .357 Smith & Wesson revolver and opened fire on West Virginia National Guard members last November. Specialist Sarah Beckstrom was killed and Andrew Wolfe was severely wounded. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta set the next hearing for Sept. 16.