AP Reveals Afghan Asylum Seeker Accused in White House Shooting Had History of Mental Health Issues
According to leaked emails, Afghan asylum seeker Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who is accused of shooting two U.S. National Guard soldiers near the White House, had serious mental health and behavioral issues prior to the incident.
The Associated Press reported on Sunday, November 30, that Lakanwal struggled to maintain employment and frequently experienced prolonged periods of isolation. These behavioral problems had previously raised concerns among those close to him.
According to the report, a Washington-based social worker who works with Afghan refugee families contacted a refugee assistance organization due to fears that Lakanwal might attempt suicide.
Emails now obtained by the media reveal that warnings about the mental condition of this asylum seeker had been issued months before the attack.
On the previous Wednesday, two members of the U.S. National Guard were shot and injured near the White House. One of them, 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom, died the following day. The second victim, 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, remains hospitalized.
While the suspect has been taken into custody, U.S. officials say investigations are still ongoing to determine the motive behind the violent act.
The incident has once again raised questions about how the mental health of asylum seekers is addressed and the neglect of early warning signs. Meanwhile, the Taliban regime—whose repressive policies have sparked waves of forced migration—continues to take no responsibility for such tragedies and remains indifferent to the root crises that have left Afghan citizens in exile struggling with psychological trauma.
