Judge orders force-feeding for suspect in deadly National Guard shooting

A federal judge ordered the man accused of targeting and shooting National Guard troops in downtown Washington, D.C., to be force-fed after he was rushed to the hospital in July after starving himself.U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, an Obama appointee, over the weekend authorized “nonconsensual nutrition and medical treatment” for Rahmanullah Lakanwal, which allows medical staff to feed Lakanwal through a medical tube to save his life.In his order, Mehta said the authorization will remain in effect “until adequate oral intake of food and liquid and adequate acceptance of medical treatment is achieved and defendant’s life is no longer threatened,” and officials may apply to extend the order after Oct. 28. Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, is accused of fatally shooting West Virginia Army National Guard Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and critically wounding U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe in an attack blocks away from the White House on Nov. 26, 2025.Lakanwal pleaded not guilty to 17 charges, which include federal charges for murder of a person assisting a federal officer, three counts of attempted murder of a person assisting a federal officer, discharge of a firearm causing death, and three counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence. He also faces charges under the D.C. Code for first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill, and possession of a firearm.The U.S. Marshals Service has custody of Lakanwal during pretrial proceedings, but attorneys with the Department of Justice petitioned the court to intervene to ensure he remains alive to face trial. The DOJ is simultaneously weighing whether or not to seek the death penalty for Lakanwal.TRUMP’S WINNING ISSUE THAT COULD GIVE REPUBLICANS A MIDTERM BOOSTStarting in July, Lakanwal refused to eat and, in some cases, drink water, leading to his hospitalization. The U.S. Marshals Service said in a July court filing that it cannot allow an individual to starve themselves while in custody.Lakanwal allegedly drove a Toyota Prius from Bellingham, Washington, to Washington, D.C., while in possession of a stolen firearm. Prosecutors say that on the afternoon of Nov. 26, 2025, he opened fire without provocation at 17th and I Streets NW, near Farragut Square, striking Beckstrom and Wolfe in the head. Two Army National Guard majors who were nearby intervened and subdued him at the scene.