National Guard members Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe and Specialist Sarah Beckstrom. (Photo: AP)
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the Afghan national who is accused of shooting two National Guard troops in Washington DC, last week, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and assault charges.
Lakanwal made his initial court appearance on Tuesday by video, from his hospital bed.
Lakanwal pleads not guilty
His attorney entered a not guilty plea on Lakanwal’s behalf after he was formally charged with murder and other offenses.
A Washington, DC judge ordered Lakanwal held in custody without bond, citing the “sheer terror” of the shooting blocks from the White House that killed one member of the National Guard and critically injured a second.
A man walks off after leaving a bouquet of flowers on a planter near the site where two National Guard members were shot in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
He opened fire on Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe of the West Virginia National Guard, outside the entrance to the Farragut West Metro station at 17th Street in Northwest Washington, just a few blocks from the White House.
While Beckstrom succumbed to her injuries the next day, Wolfe, who was also critically injured, is recovering in a hospital.
A photo is displayed of National Guard member Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, one of two National Guard members who were shot in Washington. (AP Photo/Kathleen Batten)
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National Guard members Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe and Specialist Sarah Beckstrom. (Photo: AP) 
