"When Rahmanullah Lakanwal came to the U.S. from Afghanistan he appeared lively and full of hope, but over the course of years, he slipped into isolation and was prone to taking cross country drives without telling his family, according to a volunteer who worked closely with his family. Lakanwal, an Afghan national, is accused of shooting two National Guard soldiers on November 26. One of those soldiers, 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom, died from her wounds."
"The volunteer shared emails with NPR sent in January of 2024 that raised alarms about Lakanwal's well-being. "He spends most of his time in his darkened bedroom, not speaking to anyone, not even his wife and older kids," one email said. "I personally believe that [Mr. Lakanwal] is suffering from both PTSD and from his work with the US military in Afghanistan," the volunteer wrote, adding that they are "not a healthcare professional.""
Rahmanullah Lakanwal arrived in the U.S. from Afghanistan appearing lively and hopeful. Over several years he became increasingly isolated, taking long cross-country drives without informing his family. He is accused of shooting two National Guard soldiers on November 26; one victim, 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom, died and the other, 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, remained in serious condition. A refugee resettlement volunteer reported growing concern about Lakanwal’s withdrawal, suspected suicidal ideation, and possible PTSD connected to his work with U.S. forces. The volunteer noted job instability, social withdrawal by 2023, and shared January 2024 emails describing him spending most time in a darkened bedroom.
Read at www.npr.org
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