WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta convened an emergency hearing on July 9, 2026, regarding the medical condition of Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national accused of murder. Lakanwal was hospitalized on July 8, 2026, at George Washington University Hospital for a potentially life-threatening medical condition after refusing to eat food or drink water while in pretrial custody.

Judge Mehta stated that Lakanwal's health had "deteriorated substantially" and that his condition was "self-inflicted due to refusing food and water." The judge instructed prosecutors to submit a proposed order to access Lakanwal's recent medical records. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Ballantine noted that the U.S. Marshals Service had informed prosecutors about a "significant problem" with Lakanwal two weeks prior.

Lakanwal has pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder. He is accused of shooting West Virginia National Guard Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe in November 2025. Beckstrom, who was 20 years old, died on Thanksgiving 2025 as a result of the shooting, while Wolfe, 24, was critically wounded.

Lakanwal is accused of ambushing Beckstrom and Wolfe outside a subway station three blocks from the White House on November 26, 2025, and shooting them both in the head. A police report states that another National Guard member heard gunshots and observed Beckstrom and Wolfe fall. According to a police report, Lakanwal fired a gun and screamed "Allahu Akbar!" during the incident.

Lakanwal was shot by a National Guard supervisor during the attack and sustained injuries. He appeared by video from a hospital bed for his first hearing in December 2025. Lakanwal is accused of driving from Bellingham, Washington, to Washington, D.C., in possession of a stolen Smith & Wesson revolver.

Lakanwal came to the U.S. as a refugee and is a former Afghan special forces soldier. He faces a 17-count indictment, which includes first-degree armed premeditated murder of a National Guard member, attempted murder of three others, and assault with intent to kill. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in this case.

A trial date for Lakanwal has not yet been scheduled. Defense attorney Shelli Peterson and a spokesperson for U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro's office both declined to comment following the hearing.