Military Attack Accused Was Isolated for Weeks Alone in Room, Case Worker's Email Said.

Image Source

The individual alleged to have carried out shooting two military personnel in Washington DC last week had according to accounts spent weeks at a time alone in a dark room and suffered from "manic episodes," according to notes written in 2024 by a support worker who assisted the individual's family.

Rahmanullah Lakanwal is accused of perpetrating an "surprise attack" that killed Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and critically wounded Andrew Wolf, 24.

Authorities said the 29-year-old came to the US in 2021 as part of a initiative for Afghans who had worked with American troops in Afghanistan.

Revealed Information on Mental Health

According to emails from last year, Mr. Lakanwal struggled with his psychological well-being.

In a separate message dated on January 31st of last year, the case worker said Mr. Lakanwal "spends most of his time for consecutive weeks in his blacked-out bedroom, refusing to talk to a soul, not even his spouse and children."

The case worker, who was not a mental health professional, also said Mr. Lakanwal had "hyperactive periods for a week or two at a time where he would drive away in the family car." They also described he had times in which he would try to "apologize and reconcile."

Image Source

Background and Recent Developments

Mr. Lakanwal, an Afghan national, came to the US as part of the recent resettlement program. This was in the wake after the disorderly US military exit from Afghanistan.

He applied for asylum in 2024, and his request was granted earlier this year.

He lived with his wife and five children in Bellingham, Washington.

"Aid group volunteers are trying to patch things for that family - but I think the father has psychological problems that are untreated, and he won't talk to anyone," one part of an earlier communication states.

Last week, a longtime acquaintance told a newspaper that Mr. Lakanwal had experienced mental health issues after his service with his unit in Afghanistan.

Mr. Lakanwal had allegedly been a part of a "special unit" - an Afghan intelligence and militia that worked with a American spy agency.

Official Reaction and Legal Proceedings

In the aftermath of the attack in Washington DC, the administration pledged to "permanently pause immigration" from certain countries.

The administration has halted all refugee claims "until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the fullest extent," a senior official said.

Mr. Lakanwal, who was injured during the incident and is still hospitalized, is facing murder charges.