Man Charged in National Guard Shooting Pleads Not Guilty During Court Appearance From Hospital Bed

WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 01: A makeshift memorial stands outside the Farragut West Metro station on December 01, 2025 in Washington, DC. Sarah Beckstrom, one of the two West Virginia National Guard troops who were shot blocks from the White House on November 26, died on Thursday, November 27, following what authorities called a targeted attack. (Photo by Heather Diehl/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON (AP) — A man accused of shooting two National Guard troops near the White House has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and assault charges. Rahmanullah Lakanwal made his initial court appearance by video from a hospital bed for charges stemming from the Nov. 26 shooting that killed Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and wounded Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe. Lakanwal, who was shot during the confrontation, was in a hospital bed during the hearing and his attorney entered his not guilty plea on his behalf.