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Locals recalled that Lakanwal kept to himself, spoke almost no English, and was “often seen playing Call of Duty” alone in his unit. What seemed strange before now looks downright alarming.
Charges Already Filed — And More Likely Coming
Authorities have already hit Lakanwal with several serious charges, including assault with intent to kill while armed and criminal possession of a weapon. Prosecutors are openly signaling that additional federal charges — possibly terrorism-related — are on the table as investigators sift through the digital evidence pulled from multiple states.
Alongside the Washington raid, federal teams also searched a property in San Diego, collecting additional digital materials tied to the case.
FBI: This Is No Longer ‘Just a Shooting’
The FBI confirmed Thursday that the investigation has shifted dramatically. This is no longer simply about an ambush shooting — it is now a full-scale federal counterterrorism operation. Agents have begun interviewing Lakanwal’s relatives, including a brother reportedly living legally in the U.S.
The scope of these interviews and the multi-state digital evidence collection suggest investigators believe the attack may not have been an isolated act.
A Refugee Story That Now Looks Very Different
Before obtaining his own apartment, Lakanwal, his wife Khamila, and their five young sons were housed by a Washington couple who created a now-deleted GoFundMe on the family’s behalf.
The fundraiser read in part:
“This is Stan and Val, and we are fundraising for an Afghan refugee family who stayed at our home for 2 months before finding permanent rental housing in Bellingham, WA. Rahmanullah and Khamila have 5 wonderful boys ages 11 to 2.”
The couple described Lakanwal as a former partner to U.S. troops in Afghanistan, writing:
“Before being evacuated to the US in September 2021, Rahmanullah served for 11 years as a member of the Afghan Special Forces alongside U.S. service members fighting the Taliban. This is an opportunity for you to help a truly wonderful family.”
A later update, posted January 30, 2023, said the family was thriving:
“Ramanullah has a job at the local hospital working in the laundry, the kids are all in public school and the parents are taking English classes.”
Those glowing descriptions now stand in stark contrast to the aftermath of Wednesday’s attack near the White House.
Biden’s 2021 Afghan Resettlement Under Scrutiny Again
Officials confirm Lakanwal entered the United States under Operation Allies Welcome, the Biden administration’s chaotic 2021 resettlement program that flew tens of thousands of Afghans into the U.S. after the disastrous withdrawal from Kabul. Many of those individuals were never fully vetted — a fact critics have warned about for years.
This attack is now putting that program under a white-hot spotlight.
A National Guard Hero Has Fallen
As The Gateway Pundit previously reported, 20-year-old West Virginia National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom was critically wounded during the ambush. She had volunteered to work so others could spend Thanksgiving with their families. Beckstrom later succumbed to her injuries.
Her death is now part of a widening terrorism probe — one directly connected to a man brought into America during Biden’s rushed Afghanistan evacuation.
