Military Attack Accused Was Isolated for Weeks Alone in Bedroom, Case Worker's Email Said.

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The individual accused of firing upon two military personnel in the nation's capital last week had reportedly spent extended periods alone in a dark room and experienced "manic episodes," as per notes written in 2024 by a case worker who assisted the suspect's family.

Rahmanullah Lakanwal is charged with perpetrating an "ambush" that took the life of Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and seriously injured Andrew Wolf, 24.

Officials stated the 29-year-old came to the US in 2021 as part of a initiative for individuals from Afghanistan who had assisted American troops in Afghanistan.

Revealed Details on Mental Health

Based on emails from last year, Mr. Lakanwal struggled with his mental health.

In a different message dated on January 31st of last year, the case worker said Mr. Lakanwal "spends most of his time for weeks on end in his blacked-out bedroom, not speaking to anyone, not even his wife and older kids."

The individual, who was not a mental health professional, also added Mr. Lakanwal had "hyperactive periods for a week or two at a time where he would take off in the family car." They also described he had periods in which he would try to "make amends."

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Background and Recent Events

Mr. Lakanwal, an Afghan national, came to the US as part of the recent resettlement program. This was in the wake after the chaotic US military exit from Afghanistan.

He applied for asylum in 2024, and his application was granted recently.

He resided with his family in Bellingham, Washington.

"World Relief volunteers are trying to patch things for that family - but I think the father has mental health issues that are not addressed, and he refuses to speak with anybody," one part of an previous communication reads.

Last week, a childhood friend informed a newspaper that Mr. Lakanwal had dealt with mental health issues after his work with his unit in Afghanistan.

Mr. Lakanwal had reportedly been a member of a "Zero Unit" - an local intelligence and militia that worked with a American spy agency.

Official Response and Legal Proceedings

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

The government has paused all refugee claims "to guarantee that every alien is thoroughly investigated to the maximum degree possible," a senior official said.

Mr. Lakanwal, who was shot during the incident and is still hospitalized, is facing homicide accusations.