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Judge orders National Guard shooting suspect to be force-fed
Confirmed
August 31, 2026 / 2:26 PM EDT / CBS News A federal judge ordered the man accused of fatally shooting a National Guard member and severely injuring another in Washington, D.C., last year to be force-fed and receive medical treatment following a monthslong refusal to eat and sometimes drink water while in government custody.
Another National Guard member heard gunshots and saw Beckstrom and Wolfe fall to the ground as Lakanwal fired a gun and screamed, “Allahu Akbar!” according to a police report. A judge agreed to order ‘nonconsensual’ nutrition and medical treatment for Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who was rushed to a hospital in July after he stopped eating A judge agreed to order ‘nonconsensual’ nutrition and medical treatment for Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who was rushed to a hospital in July after he stopped eating At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground.
In a court order dated Saturday, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ordered Rahmanullah Lakanwal to be forcibly fed to "preserve" his life "or prevent a foreseeable deterioration in his condition that if not treated is likely to lead to death.
Lakanwal ambushed the Guard members outside a subway station three blocks from the White House, according to prosecutors. In court filings last month, the Justice Department said Lakanwal was moved to a D.C. hospital on July 9 on an "emergency basis" to receive "medical treatment necessary to preserve his life" after he had refused to eat starting in June as he awaits trial.
The Justice Department has said it is reviewing whether to seek the death penalty in Lakanwal's case.
What's confirmed
- August 31, 2026 / 2:26 PM EDT / CBS News A federal judge ordered the man accused of fatally shooting a National Guard member and severely injuring another in Washington, D.C., last year to be force-fed and receive medica
- Another National Guard member heard gunshots and saw Beckstrom and Wolfe fall to the ground as Lakanwal fired a gun and screamed, “Allahu Akbar!” according to a police report.
- Lakanwal ambushed the Guard members outside a subway station three blocks from the White House, according to prosecutors.
- The Justice Department has said it is reviewing whether to seek the death penalty in Lakanwal's case.
What's still developing
- August 31, 2026 / 2:26 PM EDT / CBS News A federal judge ordered the man accused of fatally shooting a National Guard member and severely injuring another in Washington, D.C., last year to be force-fed and receive…
- In a court order dated Saturday, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ordered Rahmanullah Lakanwal to be forcibly fed to "preserve" his life "or prevent a foreseeable deterioration in his condition that if not treated is…
- In court filings last month, the Justice Department said Lakanwal was moved to a D.C. hospital on July 9 on an "emergency basis" to receive "medical treatment necessary to preserve his life" after he had refused to…
- The Justice Department has said it is reviewing whether to seek the death penalty in Lakanwal's case.
- A judge agreed to order ‘nonconsensual’ nutrition and medical treatment for Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who was rushed to a hospital in July after he stopped eating A judge agreed to order ‘nonconsensual’ nutrition and…
- Lakanwal ambushed the Guard members outside a subway station three blocks from the White House, according to prosecutors.
- Another National Guard member heard gunshots and saw Beckstrom and Wolfe fall to the ground as Lakanwal fired a gun and screamed, “Allahu Akbar!” according to a police report.