The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Rahmanullah Laknwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national accused of killing a U.S. National Guard soldier and seriously wounding another in Washington, D.C., has been hospitalized in critical condition after refusing food and water, according to U.S. media reports.
The Associated Press reported on Friday that federal
prosecutors told an emergency court hearing Laknwal's health had deteriorated
significantly because he had refused adequate nutrition. He was transferred to George
Washington University Hospital for emergency medical treatment.
U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta said Laknwal's condition
had worsened considerably and that he was now in an extremely serious medical
state.
Meanwhile, The Washington Post and CNN reported that
prosecutors have asked the court for access to Laknwal's medical records to
determine the next steps, including the possibility of authorizing
force-feeding to preserve his life.
According to the reports, Laknwal's defense attorney agreed
to grant prosecutors limited access to his client's recent medical records.
Laknwal has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him.
He is accused of opening fire on two members of the U.S. National Guard near
the White House in November 2025, killing 20-year-old Sarah Bäckström and
seriously injuring Andrew Wolf.
The U.S. Department of Justice has said it will seek the
death penalty if Laknwal is convicted.
Laknwal entered the United States after the withdrawal of
U.S. forces from Afghanistan in 2021. Court documents state that before
immigrating, he worked with U.S. forces and units affiliated with the Central
Intelligence Agency (CIA) in Afghanistan.
A trial date has not yet been announced.
