Military Shooting Accused Was Isolated for Weeks Isolated in Room, Case Worker's Email Said.

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The individual accused of firing upon two National Guard members in the nation's capital last week had according to accounts spent extended periods alone in a dimly lit room and experienced "manic episodes," according to comments written in 2024 by a case worker who assisted the individual's family.

Rahmanullah Lakanwal is accused of perpetrating an "ambush" that killed Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and critically wounded Andrew Wolf, 24.

Authorities said the 29-year-old entered the US in 2021 as part of a initiative for Afghans who had assisted US forces in Afghanistan.

Revealed Information on Psychological State

According to electronic correspondence from last year, Mr. Lakanwal struggled with his mental health.

In a different message sent on January 31st of last year, the worker noted Mr. Lakanwal "passes the majority of his days for weeks on end in his blacked-out room, refusing to talk to a soul, not even his spouse and children."

The case worker, who was not a clinician, also said Mr. Lakanwal had "manic episodes for one or two weeks at a time where he would drive away in the family car." They also mentioned he had times in which he would try to "make amends."

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Background and Recent Developments

Mr. Lakanwal, an Afghan national, came to the US via the Biden-era Operation Allies Welcome. This was during the period after the disorderly US military exit from Afghanistan.

He sought asylum in 2024, and his application was approved earlier this year.

He resided with his family in a city in Washington state.

"Aid group volunteers are attempting to assist for that family - but I think the father has mental health issues that are untreated, and he refuses to speak with anybody," a section of an previous communication states.

Last week, a longtime acquaintance informed a newspaper that Mr. Lakanwal had dealt with psychological challenges after his work with his unit in Afghanistan.

Mr. Lakanwal had allegedly been a member of a "Zero Unit" - an Afghan intelligence and paramilitary force that worked with a American spy agency.

Official Reaction and Legal Proceedings

In the aftermath of the attack in the capital, the administration vowed to "halt immigration" from certain countries.

The government has halted all refugee claims "until we can ensure that every alien is thoroughly investigated to the fullest extent," a senior official said.

Mr. Lakanwal, who was injured during the incident and remains in hospital, is facing murder charges.