safety
Man accused of shooting two DC National Guard members hospitalized after refusing to eat in prison
By Holmes Lybrand at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News
· 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 Detroit
The case of Rahmanullah Lakanwal, accused of shooting two National Guard members in Washington, DC, has significant implications for Detroit 's own community safety discussions. As a city that has faced its share of violent crimes, Detroiters may be watching this case closely to see how the justice system handles such serious offenses. The fact that Lakanwal has refused food and sometimes water in prison, leading to a substantial deterioration in his health, raises questions about the treatment of defendants in custody. In Detroit, where concerns about public safety and policing are ongoing, this case may spark further debate about the balance between holding offenders accountable and ensuring their humane treatment. As the case against Lakanwal moves forward, with the Justice Department seeking the death penalty, Detroit residents may be interested in seeing how the legal process unfolds and what lessons can be applied to local efforts to prevent and respond to violent crime.
About this story
Original reporting by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . The Detroit 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 WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News ·
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 WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Holmes Lybrand at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Detroit, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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