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

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The individual alleged to have carried out shooting two National Guard members in the nation's capital last week had according to accounts passed weeks at a time in solitude in a dark room and suffered from "manic episodes," according to comments documented in 2024 by a case worker who assisted the suspect's family.

Rahmanullah Lakanwal is charged with perpetrating an "ambush" that took the life of Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and critically wounded Andrew Wolf, 24.

Officials stated the 29-year-old entered the US in 2021 as part of a programme for Afghans who had assisted US forces in Afghanistan.

Revealed Information on Psychological State

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

In a different message sent on January 31st of last year, the worker said Mr. Lakanwal "passes the majority of his days for consecutive weeks in his darkened room, not speaking to anyone, not even his spouse and children."

The case worker, who was not a clinician, also said Mr. Lakanwal had "manic episodes for one or two weeks at a time where he would take off in the family car." They also mentioned he had periods in which he would try to "apologize and reconcile."

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History and Recent Events

Mr. Lakanwal, an Afghan national, came to the US as part of the Biden-era Operation Allies Welcome. This was during the period after the disorderly US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.

He sought asylum in 2024, and his request was approved recently.

He lived with his family in Bellingham, Washington.

"Aid group workers are attempting to assist for that family - but I think the father has psychological problems that are untreated, and he refuses to speak with anybody," a section of an earlier email reads.

Last week, a longtime acquaintance informed a publication that Mr. Lakanwal had experienced mental health issues after his service with his team in Afghanistan.

Mr. Lakanwal had allegedly been a member of a "special unit" - an local intelligence and militia that worked with a US intelligence agency.

Government Response and Legal Proceedings

In the aftermath of the attack in Washington DC, the President pledged to "halt immigration" from certain countries.

The government has halted all refugee claims "until we can ensure that every individual is thoroughly investigated to the maximum degree possible," a senior official said.

Mr. Lakanwal, who was injured in the event and is still hospitalized, is facing homicide accusations.