A tragic turn of events has reignited debate over how the U.S. supports those it once called allies. The man accused of opening fire on two West Virginia National Guard members in Washington, D.C., had spent much of the past few years in deep isolation, battling psychological distress that went largely unaddressed. Newly surfaced emails from early 2024 paint a haunting picture of his mental decline following his arrival in the United States.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, came to America in 2021 through the Biden administration’s Operation Allies Welcome initiative, which resettled thousands of Afghans who aided the U.S. military during its two-decade presence in Afghanistan. But after leaving the war-torn region, his adjustment to civilian life proved devastatingly difficult. According to caseworker correspondence reviewed by CBS News, he struggled to keep steady employment and had been unemployed for more than a year, while his family faced eviction for unpaid rent.
In a January 11, 2024 message to the nonprofit U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, a caseworker described growing alarm: volunteers were helping the Lakanwals manage day-to-day survival, but the father appeared mentally unwell and refused all communication about his condition. The message, written months before Lakanwal’s asylum claim was finally approved, warned that "mental health issues" were being left untreated.
World Relief, one of several resettlement agencies assisting Afghan evacuees, helped relocate the Lakanwal family to Bellingham, Washington. Nearly 3,000 Afghans had started new lives in the state by then—Lakanwal, his wife, and five children among them. Yet sometime before the recent shooting, Lakanwal made the cross-country drive to the nation’s capital, where the attack occurred. One of the victims, Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died from her injuries, while Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains hospitalized.
Another email sent later that month paints an even darker portrait. The caseworker reported that Lakanwal had barely functioned “as a person, father, or provider” since March 2023. He spent long stretches secluded in a dark room, barely speaking to his wife or children. The account also mentioned weeks-long manic episodes when he would suddenly leave home in the family vehicle before returning remorseful. The worker, though not a licensed clinician, suspected he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), rooted in his experiences working with U.S. forces in Afghanistan.
A former Afghan commando confirmed to CBS News that Lakanwal had commanded a unit of Afghan special forces in southern Afghanistan, collaborating closely with international troops. That same source said Lakanwal became despondent after losing a close friend and fellow commander in 2024—a man who had unsuccessfully sought refuge in the United States.
After applying for asylum in December 2024, Lakanwal reportedly underwent extensive Department of Homeland Security screening, including background checks, social media vetting, and interviews. He passed all assessments and officially gained asylum status in April 2025. But the question remains: what happened afterward?
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed over the weekend that Lakanwal had become "radicalized" while living in the U.S. “We believe it was through connections within his home community and state,” Noem said during NBC’s Meet the Press. She offered no additional evidence or clarifying details. Yet community advocates pushed back, calling such statements misleading. “This violent act does not represent the Afghan community, which continues to enrich our country and undergoes some of the most vigorous screening of any immigrant group,” said Shawn VanDiver, president of AfghanEvac, a nonprofit supporting U.S.-affiliated Afghans.
During the incident, Lakanwal was shot by one of the National Guard members he targeted. He remains sedated and on life support in a D.C. hospital. Officials report that this has delayed any direct questioning. Meanwhile, federal investigators are combing through his digital communications for possible evidence of coordination or extremist influence. Early findings, according to intelligence officials, show no ties to foreign groups or handlers.
But here’s where it gets controversial: If Lakanwal’s mental health crises were so clearly documented, why wasn’t more done to intervene? Was this a tragic failure of the refugee support system—or an isolated case of personal unraveling? His story raises painful questions about the U.S. government’s promises to those who risked their lives alongside American troops.
As the investigation continues, one thing is clear—this case will not only test national security policies but also the moral obligations the United States holds toward those who once fought under its banner. Do you believe this tragedy stems more from mental health neglect or systemic failure in resettlement efforts? Share your thoughts below—this conversation is far from over.
