safety
Man accused of shooting two National Guard members hospitalized after refusing to eat in prison
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· July 9, 2026
· 2 min read
By Holmes Lybrand, CNN
(CNN) — The man accused of shooting two National Guard members, killing one, in Washington, DC, in 2025 has been admitted to a city hospital after he refused to eat and sometimes drink in prison as he awaits trial.
During an emergency hearing Thursday, DC federal Judge ...
Key takeaway During the emergency hearing, Mehta said he would allow prosecutors to see Lakanwal’s medical records from the past 24 hours.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The case of Rahmanullah Lakanwal, accused of shooting two National Guard members, has implications for El Paso 's own community safety discussions. As a city with a significant military presence, El Paso residents may be particularly concerned about the alleged ambush of service members. The fact that Lakanwal worked with the CIA in Afghanistan before coming to the US in 2021 may also raise questions about the support and resources available to individuals who have worked with the US military in other countries. In El Paso, where many residents have ties to the military, the community may be watching this case closely to see how the Justice Department's decision to seek the death penalty plays out, and what it may mean for the city's own approach to public safety and justice. The city's own experiences with violence and tragedy may inform its response to this case.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Holmes Lybrand, CNN
(CNN) — The man accused of shooting two National Guard members, killing one, in Washington, DC, in 2025 has been admitted to a city hospital after he refused to eat and sometimes drink in prison as he awaits trial.
During an emergency hearing Thursday, DC federal Judge ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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