Afghan national held

AN Afghan national has been accused of shooting two West Virginia National Guard members close to the White House.

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Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney for the District of Columbia, said at a news briefing yesterday that the guard members shot were specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and staff sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24.

Ms Pirro said the suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, drove across the country to launch an “ambush-style” attack with a 357 Smith & Wesson revolver.

The suspect faces charges of assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Ms Pirro said that “it’s too soon to say” what the suspect's motives were.

The charges could be upgraded, Ms Pirro said, adding: “We are praying that they survive and that the highest charge will not have to be murder in the first degree.