The Justice Department unsealed a superseding indictment Tuesday against Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national accused in the November shooting of two National Guard members on patrol in Washington, D.C. Lakanwal pleaded not guilty to eight new charges, including one count of murder of a person assisting a federal officer and three counts of attempted murder of a person assisting a federal officer.

Prosecutors also charged him with one count of discharging a firearm causing death and three counts of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. Six of these charges are punishable by death if convicted, though the Justice Department has not announced a final decision on seeking capital punishment.

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Lakanwal, wearing an orange jumpsuit and seated in a wheelchair, appeared before U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta via a Pashto interpreter. During the 25-minute hearing, he occasionally closed his eyes or looked around the courtroom.

Authorities allege Lakanwal killed U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and wounded U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe during an ambush near the Farragut Square Metro Station at 17th and I Streets Northwest on November 26. Beckstrom died the following day, Thanksgiving. Wolfe’s mother reported in late January that he was scheduled for skull reconstructive surgery in early March.

Both guardsmen were deployed to D.C. as part of a federal law enforcement surge ordered by President Trump to combat crime. Prosecutors say Lakanwal traveled from Washington state to the capital before the attack, which officials called “targeted.” He was shot and subdued by other National Guard members at the scene.

Lakanwal had previously pleaded not guilty to nine charges, including first-degree murder and firearm offenses. At the close of Tuesday’s hearing, his attorneys and prosecutors held a private discussion with Judge Mehta that was inaudible to observers.

The case has drawn attention amid broader debates about immigration and crime. In a related context, the Trump DOJ backed Elon Musk’s xAI in a Memphis air pollution case, citing national security. Meanwhile, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore removed National Park displays.

The next hearing is scheduled for September 16.