Washington: US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro announced Friday that charges against Rahmanullah Lakanwal, accused of shooting two National Guard members, have been elevated to first-degree murder following the death of one victim.

Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, both from the West Virginia National Guard, were critically injured in Wednesday afternoon's attack near the White House. President Donald Trump confirmed Thursday evening that Beckstrom had succumbed to her injuries.

Lakanwal initially faced charges of assault with intent to kill while armed and firearm possession during a violent crime. Pirro detailed that the 29-year-old Afghan national drove cross-country from Washington state to execute an “ambush-style” assault using a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver, firing 10-15 shots at the guardsmen on patrol near Farragut West station.

Pirro noted it is “too soon to say” regarding the suspect's motives. Lakanwal, who entered the US in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, overstayed his visa, sought asylum in 2024 (granted in April 2025), and previously worked with a CIA-backed Afghan security unit.

With inputs from PTI