Military Shooting Accused Spent Weeks Isolated in Bedroom, Case Worker's Message Revealed.

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The individual accused of firing upon two military personnel in the nation's capital last week had reportedly passed weeks at a time in solitude in a dimly lit room and experienced "manic episodes," as per notes written in 2024 by a case worker that helped the suspect's family.

Rahmanullah Lakanwal is accused of carrying out an "surprise attack" that took the life of 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 programme for Afghans who had assisted US forces in Afghanistan.

Emerging Details on Mental Health

Based on emails from last year, Mr. Lakanwal struggled with his psychological well-being.

In a separate email sent on 31 January 2024, the case worker said Mr. Lakanwal "passes most of his time for weeks on end in his blacked-out room, refusing to talk to anyone, not even his spouse and children."

The case worker, who was not a clinician, also said Mr. Lakanwal had "manic episodes 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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History and Current Developments

Mr. Lakanwal, an Afghan national, came to the US as part of the Biden-era Operation Allies Welcome. 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 lived with his family in Bellingham, Washington.

"World Relief workers are trying to patch things for that family - but I think the father has psychological problems that are not addressed, and he refuses to speak with anyone," a section of an previous email reads.

Last week, a childhood friend informed a publication that Mr. Lakanwal had experienced psychological challenges after his service with his unit in Afghanistan.

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

Official Reaction and Legal Proceedings

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

The administration 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 in the event and remains in hospital, is facing murder charges.