WASHINGTON D.C. (AP) — Tuesday, January 13, 2026
A federal grand jury has returned a new indictment charging Arkan Lakanwal in connection with the fatal shooting of National Guard soldiers near the White House, the Department of Justice announced late Monday.
The indictment charges Lakanwal with first-degree murder and attempted murder of officers and employees of the United States. The charges stem from the violent incident earlier this month where National Guardsman Sarah Beckstrom was killed and another soldier, Andrew Wolfe, was critically wounded while on duty near the Executive Mansion.
“This indictment reflects the gravity of the attack on those sworn to protect our capital,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves. “We are committed to delivering justice for Specialist Beckstrom and her grieving family.”
Lakanwal remains in federal custody without bond. If convicted on all counts, he faces a mandatory life sentence. The incident has prompted a security review of National Guard deployments in the District of Columbia, with additional checkpoints remaining in place this week.
