The man accused of shooting two National Guard members in Washington DC last week spent weeks at a time alone in a dark room and suffered “manic episodes” – according to comments written in 2024 by a case worker who helped the suspect’s family with their relocation after they fled Afghanistan.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal is accused of carrying out an “ambush” that killed Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and seriously injured Andrew Wolf, 24.
Officials said the 29-year-old entered the US in 2021 as part of a programme for Afghans who had worked with American troops in Afghanistan.
According to the emails from last year that were obtained by BBC’s US partner, CBS News, Mr Lakanwal struggled with his mental health.