Afghan Suspect in Shooting of National Guard Members Transferred to Federal Court; New Charges Filed

U.S. officials say an Afghan national accused of shooting at two members of the National Guard in Washington and killing one of them is now facing new federal charges. According to these officials, the suspect's case is being transferred from the D.C. Superior Court to federal court. On Tuesday, December 23, the U.S. Department of Justice charged Rahmanullah Lakanwal with new federal offenses, including 'transporting firearms across state lines with the intent to commit a crime punishable by more than one year in prison' and 'transporting stolen firearms across state lines.' Based on these charges, Lakanwal allegedly carried out the attack on December 25, 2025, against National Guard forces using a weapon reported stolen in 2023 in Seattle. U.S. officials have stated that this shooting was a terrorist attack. Janine Perez, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia (Washington D.C.), said in a message on X that these charges have been filed in a complaint registered in the U.S. District Court related to the ambush shooting on December 25, which resulted in the death of 20-year-old Sara Baxter, a National Guard member, and severe injuries to 24-year-old Andrew Wolf, another Guard member. Perez stated, 'The transfer of this case from Superior Court to District Court ensures that we can conduct the necessary in-depth and thorough review to determine the appropriateness of the death penalty in this case.' She added, 'Sara Baxter was only twenty years old when she was killed, and her parents now have to spend the holiday season without their daughter. Andrew Wolf, thankfully, survived but has a long and difficult recovery ahead of him.' According to Perez, the suspect apparently drove a Toyota Prius with a revolver from Bellingham, Washington, to Washington D.C. and opened fire on the two National Guard members without any provocation or confrontation. Afterward, another Guard member shot him, he was arrested, and his weapon was found at the scene. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Lakanwal entered the United States on September 8, 2021, during the chaotic exit of U.S. forces from Afghanistan under the 'Operation Allies Welcome' program. The Trump administration announced that following this terrorist attack, it would temporarily halt the processing of all asylum requests. Joseph Edlow, the director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, announced in a message on X on December 28, 2025, that the agency has 'suspended all decisions regarding asylum until we can ensure that every foreign national is thoroughly vetted and screened.' The expansion of travel restrictions for U.S. citizens from over 30 countries. U.S. judicial authorities: The attacker in the terrorist attack on National Guard forces will be tried for 'murder.' Washington ordered a review of green cards for citizens from 'all concerning countries' in response to the Afghan national's terrorist attack on National Guard forces.