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The man alleged to have carried out firing upon two National Guard members in Washington DC last week had according to accounts passed extended periods alone in a dimly lit room and suffered from "periods of mania," as per notes documented in 2024 by a case worker that helped the individual's family.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal is charged with carrying out an "ambush" that killed Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and critically wounded Andrew Wolf, 24.
Officials said the man in his late twenties came to the US in 2021 as part of a programme for individuals from Afghanistan who had worked with American troops in Afghanistan.
Emerging Details on Psychological State
Based on electronic correspondence from last year, Mr. Lakanwal struggled with his psychological well-being.
In a different message sent on January 31st of last year, the case worker noted Mr. Lakanwal "spends most of his time for weeks on end in his darkened room, not speaking to a soul, including his wife and older kids."
The individual, who was not a mental health professional, also said Mr. Lakanwal had "hyperactive periods for a week or two at a time where he would take off in the family car." They also mentioned he had times in which he would try to "apologize and reconcile."
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History and Recent Developments
Mr. Lakanwal, an Afghan national, entered the US via the recent resettlement program. This was in the wake after the disorderly US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.
He sought asylum in 2024, and his request was approved recently.
He lived with his wife and five children in Bellingham, Washington.
"World Relief workers are attempting to assist for that family - but I think the father has psychological problems that are untreated, and he refuses to speak with anybody," a section of an previous email states.
Last week, a longtime acquaintance told a newspaper that Mr. Lakanwal had dealt with psychological challenges after his work with his unit in Afghanistan.
Mr. Lakanwal had allegedly been a part of a "special unit" - an Afghan intelligence and militia that collaborated with a US intelligence agency.
Official Reaction and Legal Proceedings
In the days after the attack in the capital, the administration pledged to "permanently pause immigration" from certain countries.
The government has halted all asylum decisions "until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the fullest extent," a director stated.
Mr. Lakanwal, who was injured in the event and remains in hospital, is facing murder charges.
