A man accused of ambushing two National Guard members near the White House now faces new federal firearms charges that could allow prosecutors to pursue the death penalty in the fatal shooting of a young service member. Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, was charged in a federal complaint with transporting a firearm across state lines with intent to commit a felony and with transporting a stolen firearm.
The charges stem from a Nov. 26 attack that killed 20-year-old West Virginia National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom and seriously wounded another Guardsman, Andrew Wolfe, 24. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said shifting the case from local to federal court enables prosecutors to assess whether capital punishment is warranted, noting the District of Columbia does not allow the death penalty under local law.
This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
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