Key Takeaways
- Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, is facing first-degree murder charges after allegedly shooting two National Guard members in Washington, D.C.
- Lakanwal struggled with mental illness, financial pressure, and feelings of abandonment by the U.S. government after serving in a CIA-backed Afghan force unit.
- He had difficulty adjusting to life in the U.S. after being resettled in Bellingham, Washington, and faced challenges in finding work and supporting his family.
- Lakanwal’s unit mate reported that he had reached out to the CIA for help with immigration issues, but his pleas went unanswered.
- The shooting has sparked a political backlash, with some lawmakers blaming the Biden administration for allowing Lakanwal to enter the country without proper vetting.
Introduction to the Shooting Incident
The alleged shooter of two National Guard members, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was struggling with mental illness, his ability to support his family, and, according to an Afghan veteran who fought with him, his pleas for help to the CIA went unanswered. Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, served in a CIA-backed Afghan force unit, known as the “Zero Units,” in Kandahar. He is facing first-degree murder charges after Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died of her injuries following the Wednesday shooting near the Farragut West Metro station in Washington, D.C. Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in critical condition.
Lakanwal’s Struggles in the US
After the Taliban prevailed in America’s longest running war, Lakanwal resettled in Bellingham, Washington, with his wife and five sons in September 2021. His migration was aided by Operation Allies Welcome, a Biden-era initiative to resettle vulnerable Afghans, particularly those who worked alongside U.S. forces and faced reprisals from the Taliban. However, Lakanwal struggled to start over, leave the war behind, and find work. He was fired from his job at a laundromat because he lacked a work authorization card despite being approved for asylum and authorized to work by the Trump administration, according to his former unit mate.
Lakanwal’s Pleas for Help
Lakanwal’s unit mate reported that he had reached out to the CIA for help with immigration issues, but his pleas went unanswered. In June, Lakanwal posted messages asking for help in a group chat with a CIA representative, but his last post went unanswered and was deleted by the chat’s administrator. Lakanwal’s unit mate said that he was struggling to support his family and was desperate for help. He resorted to borrowing money from friends and former unit members, and during one conversation, he broke down in tears from frustration and desperation.
Lakanwal’s Mental Health Issues
Lakanwal’s unit mate described him as "very sad" and "very worried." He would swing from “long, dark stretches of isolation” to “manic” episodes, during which he would take off on sudden, weeks-long cross-country drives. A community advocate feared Lakanwal was suicidal and asked a refugee organization for help in January 2024. However, Lakanwal and his family refused their assistance.
The Aftermath of the Shooting
Following the shooting in D.C., President Donald Trump called it a “terrorist attack” and announced a full review of all Afghan nationals admitted to the U.S. under the Biden administration. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Vice President J.D. Vance, and FBI Director Kash Patel collectively laid blame on former President Biden, claiming Lakanwal and other refugees were “unvetted” or subject to “zero vetting.” However, Lakanwal underwent more vetting than most Afghans, and his unit mate reported that he was a trusted member of the Zero Units.
The Zero Units and US Loyalty
The Zero Units were a CIA-backed Afghan force unit that worked closely with U.S. operators. The unit was highly respected, and its members were vetted before being offered a probationary period. The vetting process was so successful that the Zero Units never suffered an insider attack. However, the shooting has sparked a political backlash, with some lawmakers blaming the Biden administration for allowing Lakanwal to enter the country without proper vetting. The Afghan Zero Unit community is tight-knit, and many of its members are heartbroken by the comments of US officials, who they feel have abandoned them after they fought alongside the CIA for almost 20 years.
Conclusion
The shooting incident has highlighted the challenges faced by Afghan refugees who have resettled in the US. Lakanwal’s struggles with mental illness, financial pressure, and feelings of abandonment by the US government are a testament to the difficulties faced by many refugees who have been resettled in the US. The incident has also sparked a political backlash, with some lawmakers blaming the Biden administration for allowing Lakanwal to enter the country without proper vetting. However, it is essential to remember that Lakanwal and other members of the Zero Units were trusted allies of the US government and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.