By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
Published reports in the aftermath of the shooting of two West Virginia National Guard troopers in Washington, D.C. say only four rounds were fired from the .357 Magnum revolver allegedly used by murder suspect Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who was also wounded by other Guardsmen.
The handgun, described as a Smith & Wesson revolver, was being examined by the FBI. An unsubstantiated report by a CBS News journalist said the gun was not registered to the suspect, and was apparently traced back to a deceased Washington state resident. It is not clear how Lakanwal obtained the revolver, but in recent years, Washington state has adopted several restrictive gun control laws including so-called “universal background checks” and a 10-day waiting period, and other mandates all promoted as ways to prevent guns from falling into the wrong hands.
It has also not been revealed what type of ammunition was used in the attack, but at close range, even a .357 Magnum practice round can be devastating.
TGM has reached out to the Justice Department for details on the handgun.
The New York Post reported that the suspect opened fire first on now-deceased 20-year-old Specialist Safah Beckstrom, hitting her in the head and chest. He then allegedly picked up her rifle and shot Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, the Post report said. At last report, Wolfe remains in critical condition.
Fortune magazine is reporting that Lakanwal was living in Bellingham, Washington with his wife and five sons. The FBI has searched their residence, seizing several items.
Published reports say the suspect worked for the U.S. in Afghanistan and was evacuated during the controversial pullout during the Biden administration, which CIA Director John Ratcliffe described as “disastrous” in a prepared statement, quoted by NPR.
According to the Fortune article, the suspect had been “unable to hold a job” and his behavior had been “unraveling for years.” He also had taken “sudden weekslong cross-country drives” and was seeking asylum. He drove from Bellingham to the District of Columbia, published reports confirm.
According to News Nation, Lakanwal faces charges of first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill while armed, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Other charges could include terrorism, possession of an unregistered firearm in the District and unlawful concealed carry.
