Disturbing new footage shows the moment a hero National Guard member opened fire on the suspected Afghan terrorist — just moments after the alleged gunman ambushed two troops in a broad daylight attack.
The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, could be seen brazenly wielding his gun as he fired rounds at the National Guard members in Washington, DC, on Thanksgiving eve, according to a series of live photos obtained by the Wall Street Journal.
At one point, a male guard can be seen running down the street as he frantically tries to reload his own weapon.
Moments later, images captured by a witness showed the two guards — Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24 — slumped over on the street.
Beckstrom tragically died of her injuries on Thursday night, while Wolfe is still clinging to life.
Investigators had already reviewed footage from the scene that showed the assailant barreling around the corner and immediately firing at the troops on Wednesday afternoon.
Police confirmed one Guard member had exchanged gunfire with the shooter amid the chaos.
Troops were then able to run over and pin the gunman down as he was taken into custody.
The suspect, who was treated for non-life-threatening wounds, was initially facing charges of assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence over the bloodshed.
In the wake of Beckstrom’s death, US Attorney for DC Jeanine Pirro announced Friday the charges would be upgraded to first-degree murder.
“What happened at that crime is unmistakable. It is a premeditated murder. There was an ambush with a gun toward people who didn’t know it was coming,” Pirro said on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends.”
“This is a case that has touched the hearts of so many Americans … to be gunned down on the streets on the nation’s holiday is an outrage — and the individual who did this will pay the ultimate price.”
“As well he should, when and if a jury returns a verdict that we will be seeking.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi had already vowed to pursue the death penalty against the suspect.
Investigators are still trying to determine a motive for the attack.Lakanwal came to the US four years ago after serving in a CIA-backed elite Afghan commando “Zero Unit.”
