Emails Reveal Afghan Evacuee’s Mental Health Decline Months Before National Guard Shooting

WASHINGTON, D.C. — December 1, 2025 — Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the Afghan immigrant accused of shooting two National Guard members near the White House, exhibited signs of a prolonged mental health crisis for more than a year before the incident, according to emails reviewed by The Associated Press.

The 29-year-old suspect’s decline included extended periods of isolation, erratic behavior, and abrupt cross-country travel, officials said. An advocate who communicated via email warned that Lakanwal had “not been functional as a person, father and provider since March of last year,” noting that he quit his job, secluded himself in a darkened room for days, and ceased responding to family members.

The emails detailed a pattern of alternating between “periods of dark isolation and reckless travel,” with trips to Chicago, Arizona, and ultimately Washington, D.C., shortly before the shooting. His mental state reportedly worsened as he abandoned English classes, cycled through short-term employment, and neglected his children’s basic needs.

Attempts to intervene were documented, including a visit by staff from the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants to Bellingham in March 2024. However, the advocate said Lakanwal declined assistance, and no meaningful contact was established.

While the advocate expressed concern that Lakanwal might harm himself, there were no indications in the emails that he posed a threat to others. The deterioration culminated the night before Thanksgiving when Lakanwal allegedly opened fire near the White House, critically injuring one National Guard member and killing another.

Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack and Lakanwal’s background. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has suggested the suspect may have been radicalized after arriving in the United States, though details remain under review.

The incident has prompted scrutiny of the vetting and support processes for evacuees and asylum seekers, with officials examining how warning signs were missed or unaddressed in the months leading up to the shooting.