When Rahmanullah Lakanwal arrived in the United States from Afghanistan, he embodied a spirit of optimism and resilience. However, over the years, his demeanor changed drastically, leading to his alleged involvement in a tragic shooting incident. According to a volunteer closely associated with Lakanwal’s family, he gradually slipped into isolation, often embarking on uncommunicated cross-country drives.
Lakanwal, an Afghan national, is now accused of shooting two National Guard soldiers on November 26. Tragically, one of the soldiers, 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom, succumbed to her injuries. The other, 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, is currently in serious condition, as reported by West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey.
The volunteer, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, expressed deep concern about Lakanwal’s mental health, fearing he might harm himself due to his extreme withdrawal. "I worried he would be suicidal because he was so withdrawn," the volunteer stated while speaking to NPR. Their initial interactions with Lakanwal in 2022 depicted a different picture; he was lively, engaging in playful activities with his children and conversing animatedly with other Afghan men.
However, by 2023, Lakanwal's situation deteriorated. The volunteer noted that he began isolating himself more frequently, overwhelmed by the challenges of finding stable employment and adjusting to life in the U.S. In emails shared with NPR, alarms were raised about Lakanwal’s deteriorating well-being, indicating he spent most of his time secluded in a darkened bedroom, refusing to communicate even with his family.
The volunteer expressed a belief that Lakanwal might be suffering from PTSD due to his previous experiences working with the U.S. military in Afghanistan. Although not a healthcare professional, their observations suggested a man in distress rather than one exhibiting signs of radicalization, as suggested by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Noem stated that officials believe Lakanwal was radicalized through connections in his home community.
One of the critical issues highlighted by the volunteer is the lack of organized resources for Afghan refugees. "Families were just in my mind abandoned into the community," the volunteer lamented. While Lakanwal had briefly held jobs and hosted gatherings, the support quickly dwindled after initial resettlement.
Before immigrating to the U.S. in 2021, Lakanwal was a member of one of Afghanistan's elite counterterrorism units, receiving direct support from the CIA and U.S. military. This background has complicated the narrative surrounding the shooting incident. CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed that Lakanwal was admitted into the U.S. due to his past work with the U.S. government, including the CIA.
The volunteer described Lakanwal's behavior as increasingly erratic, noting that he would often take long drives, sometimes disappearing for weeks at a time. "He drives day and night and sends map pins to one of the volunteer sponsors, but no other communication," the volunteer reported. This behavior raised concerns among those trying to help him, as they struggled to understand his mental state.
Emails shared with NPR revealed that volunteers sought help from professional refugee aid organizations, including World Relief and the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), but received limited responses. In a meeting held in January 2024, volunteers expressed frustration over dwindling resources available for Afghan families, emphasizing the urgent need for support.
When approached for comments, USCRI did not respond, while World Relief stated they could not confirm involvement in Lakanwal's resettlement without permission from federal partners. They mentioned their commitment to supporting law enforcement in the investigation surrounding Lakanwal's case.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Trump administration moved to freeze refugee cases involving Afghan nationals, prompting a review of other refugees and migrants from several countries in the U.S. Activists, however, urge caution in interpreting this incident. Shawn VanDiver, a Navy veteran and head of AfghanEvac, remarked, "You can't paint with a broad brush this entire community. The vast majority of Afghans who have come here are just good upstanding citizens."
The tragic case of Rahmanullah Lakanwal highlights the complexities faced by Afghan refugees in the U.S., emphasizing the need for comprehensive support systems to prevent such incidents in the future.