Federal Judge Authorizes Involuntary Feeding for Suspect in National Guard Shooting

Fort Myers Naples, FL, August 31, 2026 — A federal judge in Washington D.C. has issued an order authorizing medical personnel to administer involuntary feeding to Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a suspect currently in custody. Lakanwal is accused of fatally shooting one member of the National Guard and wounding another near the White House.

The emergency court order comes after Lakanwal reportedly stopped eating. Medical staff have been directed to provide nutrition to Lakanwal, likely through intravenous (IV) lines or feeding tubes, in an effort to preserve his life.

The specific details regarding the timeline of Lakanwal’s refusal to eat and the exact date the order was granted were not immediately available. Similarly, information pertaining to the legal proceedings or the specific charges filed against Lakanwal beyond the shooting incident were not detailed in the available summary.

The incident involving the National Guard members occurred near the White House, a location often under heightened security. Authorities have not yet released further information regarding the circumstances leading up to the shooting or Lakanwal’s alleged motives.

The authorization for involuntary medical treatment, including feeding, is a measure taken in situations where a detainee’s life is at risk due to self-induced starvation, and they are deemed medically unable to make decisions regarding their own care or are refusing life-sustaining treatment. This process typically involves judicial oversight to ensure legal and ethical standards are met.

Further updates on Lakanwal’s condition and the ongoing legal proceedings are anticipated as the case develops. The names of the National Guard members involved were not provided in the summary, nor were any details about the condition of the wounded service member.

Story summarized from the original created by AP on apnews.com, see more information here.