Federal Judge Mandates Force-Feeding for National Guard Shooting Suspect on Hunger Strike

POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — A federal judge has mandated that Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the man charged with the fatal shooting of a National Guard member and the severe wounding of another in Washington, D.C., last year, be force-fed and receive medical care. This decision comes after Lakanwal has been refusing food and sometimes water for several months while in government custody.

U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta issued the order on Saturday, stating that Lakanwal must be forcibly fed to “preserve” his life and “prevent a foreseeable deterioration in his condition that if not treated is likely to lead to death.” The judge’s directive will remain in effect until October 28.

Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the U.S. under humanitarian parole in 2021, is accused of ambushing and killing Army SPC Sarah Beckstrom and critically injuring Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe near the White House in November. He is also charged with attempting to kill two other service members who apprehended him.

The Justice Department reported that Lakanwal was transferred to a D.C. hospital on July 9 for emergency medical treatment to sustain his life after he began refusing food in June, as he awaits trial. The reason for his refusal of food and medical care remains unclear, and his attorneys have not yet commented on the matter.

Lakanwal faces over a dozen federal charges, including murder of a person assisting a U.S. officer and discharge of a firearm during a violent crime resulting in death, both of which carry the death penalty. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The Justice Department is currently reviewing whether to pursue the death penalty in this case.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)