Story perspectives

Rideshare Driver Charged with Murdering National Guard Members

12/24/2025

Summary

Story summary

Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, faces new felony charges, including first-degree premeditated murder, for the November 26 shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C.
Lakanwal sought firearms for protection as a rideshare driver, despite being banned from Uber and not driving for Lyft since May 2023.
He purchased a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver and searched for the White House on Google Maps prior to the attack.
Lakanwal was shot during the incident and remains in custody, with a hearing scheduled for early 2026.

History

Historical Context

The Gun Control Act of 1968 was enacted in response to a series of political assassinations, including President John F. Kennedy in 1963 and Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. Signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on October 22, 1968, the law prohibited firearm sales to certain individuals, including felons, marking a significant shift in U.S. gun regulation and public safety efforts.

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Story summary

Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, faces new felony charges, including first-degree premeditated murder, for the November 26 shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C.
Lakanwal sought firearms for protection as a rideshare driver, despite being banned from Uber and not driving for Lyft since May 2023.
He purchased a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver and searched for the White House on Google Maps prior to the attack.
Lakanwal was shot during the incident and remains in custody, with a hearing scheduled for early 2026.

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