Judge orders forced feeding of Afghan national accused in deadly National Guard shooting

U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta has authorized the Bureau of Prisons to force-feed Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national accused of fatally shooting West Virginia National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and wounding Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe in Washington, D.C., in November 2025. Lakanwal, who has pleaded not guilty to 17 charges, was hospitalized in July 2026 following a monthslong hunger strike. The emergency medical order remains in effect until October 28, 2026, to ensure the suspect survives to face trial.

Forced feeding court order

• ▪The forced feeding order for Rahmanullah Lakanwal authorizes nasogastric tube feeding, intravenous feeding, or gastrostomy tube feeding to preserve his life.
• ▪U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta issued an order on August 29, 2026, authorizing the Bureau of Prisons to provide nonconsensual nutrition and medical treatment to Rahmanullah Lakanwal.
• ▪The forced feeding order is set to remain in effect until at least October 28, 2026, at which point the Justice Department can seek an extension.

National Guard shooting charges

• ▪Rahmanullah Lakanwal is accused of fatally shooting West Virginia Army National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and critically wounding Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe on November 26, 2025, near Farragut Square in Washington, D.C.
• ▪The U.S. Department of Justice is currently reviewing whether to seek the death penalty in the case against Rahmanullah Lakanwal.
• ▪Rahmanullah Lakanwal has pleaded not guilty to 17 charges, including murder of a person assisting a federal officer, attempted murder, and firearm offenses.

Lakanwal hunger strike

• ▪Attorneys for Rahmanullah Lakanwal stated he would oppose the government's forced feeding request, noting he has consumed some food like apple sauce but remains adamant at times against eating.
• ▪Rahmanullah Lakanwal began a hunger strike in June 2026, refusing to eat and occasionally refusing to drink water while in federal custody.

Lakanwal hospitalization

• ▪The U.S. Marshals Service stated in a July 2026 court filing that it cannot allow an individual to starve themselves to death while in federal custody.
• ▪Rahmanullah Lakanwal was hospitalized on an emergency basis on July 9, 2026, after U.S. Marshals became concerned about his substantial physical deterioration.

Afghan humanitarian parole background

• ▪Prior to the November 2025 shooting, Rahmanullah Lakanwal allegedly drove a Toyota Prius from Bellingham, Washington, to Washington, D.C., while possessing a stolen firearm.
• ▪Rahmanullah Lakanwal is an Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021 after receiving humanitarian parole.

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