safety
Man accused of shooting two DC National Guard members hospitalized after refusing to eat in prison
By Holmes Lybrand at NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate)
· July 9, 2026
· 2 min read
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 Amit Mehta said Rahmanullah Lakanwal...
Key takeaway During the emergency hearing, Mehta said he would allow prosecutors to see Lakanwals medical records from the past 24 hours.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The case of Rahmanullah Lakanwal, accused of shooting two National Guard members, has significant implications for public safety in Nashville , particularly in regards to the handling of high-profile and high-risk defendants. As Lakanwal's health deteriorates due to his refusal to eat and drink in prison, local authorities may be called upon to provide medical and security support if he is transferred to a facility in the Nashville area. The fact that Lakanwal was able to travel from Washington state to Washington, DC, and allegedly carry out a violent attack raises questions about the effectiveness of interstate law enforcement coordination and intelligence sharing. Nashville's own law enforcement agencies may need to review their protocols for monitoring and responding to potential threats from individuals with similar backgrounds and motivations. The city's experience in hosting large events and protecting high-profile targets could also inform the national discussion on preventing and responding to violent attacks.
About this story
Original reporting by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . The Nashville 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 NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? 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 Amit Mehta said Rahmanullah Lakanwal...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Holmes Lybrand at NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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