Federal prosecutors say Rahmanullah Lakanwal was transferred from prison to a hospital around midnight after refusing to “consume adequate nutrition for an extended period,” a move they said was necessary to “preserve his life,” according to court filings and reporting. Fox News.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal: hospital status
D.C. District Judge Amit Mehta described Lakanwal’s condition in an emergency hearing as “dire” and characterized his decision to stop eating as effectively “self-inflicted,” according to the filings. Fox News (court filing).
The U.S. Marshals Service alerted prosecutors that the refusal to eat placed Lakanwal “at risk for long-term health consequences, including a potential risk of death,” and that hospitalization was required to address that immediate danger, per the filings cited by prosecutors. Fox News.
Why prosecutors sought access to records
Prosecutors told the court they only learned on June 16, 2026 — when Lakanwal entered a not-guilty plea — that a protective order had previously barred the government from receiving his medical records. They asked the judge for limited access to records and treatment providers to ensure appropriate care during the current hospitalization. Fox News.
Judge Mehta granted access to the records and treatment providers for the duration of this hospital stay, emphasizing the order was narrowly tailored to the present emergency rather than an open-ended waiver of protections. Fox News.
Legal stakes
Lakanwal, 30, faces 17 federal charges tied to the Nov. 26 attack on U.S. National Guard members near the White House, including a count of first-degree murder; prosecutors say that count makes him eligible for the death penalty under federal law. Fox News.
Those potential penalties shape how courts weigh privacy against safety and the need for information relevant to custody, competency and medical treatment while proceedings continue.
What investigators say about the attack
Prosecutors allege Lakanwal drove a Toyota Prius from Bellingham, Washington, to the District of Columbia on Nov. 26 while in possession of a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver that investigators say had been reported stolen in Seattle in 2023. These details come from charging materials and court filings cited by prosecutors. Fox News.
Officials say West Virginia National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom died from her injuries on Thanksgiving after the attack, and that Guardsman Andrew Wolfe was severely wounded and remains hospitalized, according to filings and public statements from authorities. Fox News.
Two nearby National Guard members subdued the alleged shooter at the scene, and authorities recovered the firearm investigators say was used in the attack, as described in the charging documents. Fox News.
Context and next steps in court
Access to treatment providers during hospitalization could affect decisions about competency evaluations, custodial arrangements and the timeline for pretrial proceedings. Any examination of medical material will be contested by defense and prosecution over scope and duration. Fox News.
Judge Mehta indicated his order was limited to the current emergency and said any broader release of medical history would require additional findings or a separate order. The court signaled it would revisit limits as circumstances evolve. Fox News.
Medical records fight (near-term)
Prosecutors argued that timely access to clinical information was necessary to ensure Lakanwal receives appropriate care and to inform decisions about competency and custody while hospitalized. The defense has said existing protections should not be waived absent clearer justification. These competing positions were reflected in filings and the judge’s limited order. Fox News.
Any extension of access beyond the present hospitalization will likely require additional motions and findings showing a continuing need that outweighs privacy protections under the protective order. Fox News.
Courtroom detail
Public filings describing an earlier court appearance noted Lakanwal was in an orange detention uniform and observed in a wheelchair, an image included in filings that helped frame questions about his medical status during hearings. Fox News.
What comes next
Watch for motions about the scope and duration of medical-record access, any scheduled competency evaluations, and further emergency filings if Lakanwal’s condition changes. Prosecutors say their requests are narrowly tailored to ensure safety while preserving evidentiary protections; defense counsel is expected to press for strict limits. Fox News.
FAQ
What is Rahmanullah Lakanwal accused of?
Prosecutors allege Lakanwal opened fire on National Guard members near the White House on Nov. 26, killing Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and severely wounding Guardsman Andrew Wolfe. He faces 17 federal charges, including first-degree murder. Fox News.
Why are prosecutors seeking his medical records?
Officials say the U.S. Marshals Service warned Lakanwal had stopped consuming adequate nutrition and was at risk of serious harm; prosecutors sought limited access to ensure appropriate medical care during hospitalization and to inform decisions about competency and custody. Fox News.
Could his hospitalization affect the trial or sentencing?
Hospitalization and any related competency evaluations could delay pretrial scheduling. If medical evidence bears on mental competency, that could affect trial timing and sentencing considerations, but such outcomes depend on future evaluations and rulings. Fox News.
Source: Fox News — National Guard shooting suspect in ‘dire,’ ‘self-inflicted’ health condition after refusing to eat: filing
