National Guard Attack Accused Spent Weeks Isolated in Bedroom, Social Worker's Email Indicated.

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The individual alleged to have carried out shooting two National Guard members in Washington DC last week had according to accounts spent weeks at a time in solitude in a dimly lit room and suffered from "periods of mania," as per notes documented in 2024 by a support worker that helped the suspect's family.

Rahmanullah Lakanwal is charged with carrying out an "ambush" that killed Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and critically wounded Andrew Wolf, 24.

Authorities said the man in his late twenties came to the US in 2021 under a initiative for Afghans who had assisted American troops in Afghanistan.

Emerging Details on Mental Health

According to emails from last year, Mr. Lakanwal struggled with his psychological well-being.

In a different message dated on 31 January 2024, the worker noted Mr. Lakanwal "passes the majority of his days for consecutive weeks in his darkened room, refusing to talk to anyone, not even his wife and older kids."

The case worker, who was not a mental health professional, also said Mr. Lakanwal had "hyperactive periods for one or two weeks at a time where he would drive away in the family car." They also described he had times in which he would try to "make amends."

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Background and Current Events

Mr. Lakanwal, an citizen of Afghanistan, came to the US as part of the Biden-era Operation Allies Welcome. This was in the wake after the disorderly US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.

He sought refugee status in 2024, and his application was granted recently.

He lived with his wife and five children in Bellingham, Washington.

"Aid group volunteers are attempting to assist for that family - but I think the father has psychological problems that are not addressed, and he refuses to speak with anyone," one part of an previous email states.

Last week, a childhood friend informed a publication that Mr. Lakanwal had dealt with psychological challenges after his service with his team in Afghanistan.

Mr. Lakanwal had reportedly been a member of a "Zero Unit" - an Afghan intelligence and paramilitary force that collaborated with a US intelligence agency.

Official Reaction and Charges

In the aftermath of the shooting in Washington DC, the President pledged to "permanently pause immigration" from certain countries.

The government has halted all refugee claims "to guarantee that every individual is vetted and screened to the fullest extent," a director said.

Mr. Lakanwal, who was injured in the event and remains in hospital, faces murder charges.