Military Attack Accused Spent Weeks Isolated in Room, Social Worker's Message Indicated.

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The man accused of firing upon two military personnel in Washington DC recently had reportedly spent weeks at a time alone in a dark room and experienced "periods of mania," as per comments documented in 2024 by a support worker that helped the individual's family.

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

Authorities said the man in his late twenties came to the US in 2021 as part of a initiative for Afghans who had assisted American troops in Afghanistan.

Revealed Information on Psychological State

According to emails from last year, Mr. Lakanwal faced challenges with his mental health.

In a separate message sent on January 31st of last year, the worker noted Mr. Lakanwal "passes most of his time for consecutive weeks in his blacked-out room, not speaking to a soul, including his spouse and children."

The case worker, who was not a clinician, also said Mr. Lakanwal had "hyperactive periods for one or two weeks at a time where he would take off in the family car." They also described he had periods in which he would try to "apologize and reconcile."

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Background and Current Developments

Mr. Lakanwal, an Afghan national, came to the US via the recent Operation Allies Welcome. This was during the period after the chaotic US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.

He applied for refugee status in 2024, and his request was approved recently.

He resided with his wife and five children in a city in Washington state.

"World Relief 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," one part of an earlier email reads.

Last week, a longtime acquaintance informed a publication that Mr. Lakanwal had dealt with mental health issues after his service with his unit in Afghanistan.

Mr. Lakanwal had reportedly been a member of a "special unit" - an Afghan intelligence and militia that collaborated with a US intelligence agency.

Official Response and Legal Proceedings

In the days after the shooting in Washington DC, the administration vowed to "halt migration" from certain countries.

The government has paused all asylum decisions "until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the fullest extent," a senior official said.

Mr. Lakanwal, who was injured in the event and remains in hospital, faces murder charges.