National Guard Shooting Accused Was Isolated for Weeks Isolated in Room, Case Worker's Email Revealed.

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The individual accused of shooting two National Guard members in Washington DC last week had reportedly passed weeks at a time alone in a dark room and suffered from "manic episodes," as per notes documented in 2024 by a support worker who assisted the individual's family.

Rahmanullah Lakanwal is accused of carrying out 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 under a initiative for individuals from Afghanistan who had worked with American troops in Afghanistan.

Revealed Details 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 noted Mr. Lakanwal "spends most of his time for consecutive weeks in his darkened bedroom, refusing to talk to a soul, including his wife and older kids."

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 take off in the family car." They also described he had times in which he would try to "apologize and reconcile."

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Background and Recent Events

Mr. Lakanwal, an Afghan national, entered the US as part of the recent resettlement program. This was during the period after the disorderly US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.

He applied for refugee status in 2024, and his application was granted earlier this year.

He lived with his family in a city in Washington state.

"Aid group volunteers 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 told a publication that Mr. Lakanwal had experienced mental health issues after his service with his unit in Afghanistan.

Mr. Lakanwal had reportedly been a part of a "special unit" - an local intelligence and militia that collaborated with a American spy agency.

Government Response and Legal Proceedings

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

The administration has paused all refugee claims "until we can ensure that every alien is thoroughly investigated to the fullest extent," a senior official stated.

Mr. Lakanwal, who was injured during the incident and remains in hospital, is facing homicide accusations.