Speaking on the Fox News morning show Fox and Friends on Friday morning, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro stated that the charges against the Afghan national who's alleged to have shot two National Guardsmen in the nation's capital on Wednesday will be upgraded. This follows the death of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom from her wounds.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal will now be facing charges of first-degree murder.
Fox & Friends: “Are we going to see an escalation in charges against the [Afghan illegal alien]?”
— RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) November 28, 2025
U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro: “Oh, there’s no question… [Rahmanullah Lakanwal] will now be charged with mu*der in the first degree. There are certainly many more charges… pic.twitter.com/h3njMC16ho
The U.S. Attorney said, responding to a question about the escalation in charges:
"Oh, there's no question. First of all, our hearts go out, our thoughts and prayers go out today to the family of a beautiful 20-year-old, Sarah Beckstrom, who answered the call to serve her nation. And, she volunteered, and she ended up being shot ambush-style on the cold streets of Washington, D.C., by an individual who will now be charged with murder in the first degree. There are certainly many more charges to come but we are upgrading the initial charges of assault to murder in the first degree. and we are hoping that the more information we can get, and the more investigation that is going on, 24-7 now, around the clock, in Washington, the more we will find out about what actually happened in terms of this individual even being in this country and being in a position to ambush and shoot down an innocent young woman who was doing her duty to the people of this country."
See previous RedState coverage on this developing story:
Watch: Trump Shreds Reporters Over Afghans in America, Reveals More About Future Venezuela Plans
The charge of murder in the first degree could result in a death sentence under 18 U.S.C. § 1111, after trial and conviction.
Ms. Pirro also expressed hope for the other National Guardsman wounded in the terrorist ambush, Andrew Wolfe.
U.S. ATTORNEY JEANINE PIRRO provides update on the wounded WV National Guard member Andrew Wolfe: “We still have hope. He's still in critical condition."
— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 28, 2025
"We are doing everything we can to assist his family and to make sure that they have everything they need during this… pic.twitter.com/6RsTSUUfGG
The post continues:
"We are doing everything we can to assist his family and to make sure that they have everything they need during this difficult time for them.
"We are all praying for Andrew Wolfe.”
This attack, coming as it did on the day before a national holiday of reflection and thanksgiving, seems particularly heinous. We can only hope the prosecution is pursued with vigor; from listening to the U.S. Attorney, it seems very certain that this is one accused criminal who won't be receiving a plea-bargain and then be disgorged back out into the community.
This remains a fast-developing story. Stay tuned; we will be bringing you updates as events warrant.
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