National Guard Attack Suspect Was Isolated for Weeks Isolated in Bedroom, Social Worker's Email Revealed.

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The individual accused of firing upon two National Guard members in Washington DC recently had according to accounts spent weeks at a time alone in a dimly lit room and suffered from "periods of mania," according to comments written in 2024 by a case worker that helped the suspect's family.

Rahmanullah Lakanwal is charged with carrying out an "ambush" that took the life of 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 US forces in Afghanistan.

Emerging Details on Mental Health

According to electronic correspondence from last year, Mr. Lakanwal struggled with his mental health.

In a separate message sent on January 31st of last year, the worker noted Mr. Lakanwal "spends the majority of his days for weeks on end in his darkened bedroom, not speaking to a soul, including his spouse and children."

The case worker, who was not a mental health professional, also added Mr. Lakanwal had "manic episodes for one or two weeks at a time where he would drive away in the family car." They also mentioned 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 military exit from Afghanistan.

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

He resided with his family in Bellingham, Washington.

"Aid group volunteers are trying to patch things for that family - but I think the father has mental health issues that are untreated, and he won't talk to anybody," one part of an earlier email reads.

Last week, a childhood friend told a publication that Mr. Lakanwal had dealt with mental health issues after his service with his team in Afghanistan.

Mr. Lakanwal had reportedly been a member of a "Zero Unit" - an local intelligence and militia that worked with a US intelligence agency.

Official Reaction and Legal Proceedings

In the aftermath of the shooting in Washington DC, the President vowed 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 director said.

Mr. Lakanwal, who was injured during the incident and remains in hospital, faces murder charges.