Tragedy in the capital as National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom has died following a targeted shooting near the White House. President Donald Trump announced her death on Thursday, revealing one other guard is still fighting for life.
Tragic Loss of Young Guard Sarah Beckstrom
Sarah Beckstrom, 20, from West Virginia, was one of two guards shot in a chilling attack in Washington DC. “She’s just passed away. She’s no longer with us,” Trump said during his first live comments since the shooting.
Beckstrom’s father, Gary, had earlier said the young guard was unlikely to survive. “I’m holding her hand right now. She has a mortal wound. It’s not going to be a recovery,” he said.
Another Guard in Critical Condition
The other victim, Andrew Wolfe, 24, is still in the hospital, fighting for his life. Both soldiers served with the West Virginia National Guard, deployed under Trump’s crime-fighting mission in DC.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey paid tribute to Beckstrom on social media: “She served with courage, extraordinary resolve, and an unwavering sense of duty. She answered the call to serve with the strength and character that define the very best of our National Guard.”
Suspect Linked to Afghanistan, Terrorism Investigated
Authorities have named the shooter as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, an Afghan native who entered the US under a special visa program for those who worked with US forces. He was granted asylum in April under the Trump administration, with confirmed ties to CIA-backed Afghan military units during the war.
The FBI is treating the incident as a possible act of terrorism. Lakanwal allegedly drove cross-country to Washington carrying a .357 revolver, launching an “ambush-style” attack, according to US Attorney Jeanine Pirro.
Pirro said the charges could escalate to first-degree murder if the guards do not survive. So far, investigators believe Lakanwal acted alone, carrying out the shooting with deadly intent.
Trump Demands Immigration Crackdown After Shooting
The incident has already sparked fierce backlash from Trump, who blamed the Biden administration for “failing to properly vet migrants from Afghanistan.” He called for an extensive review of all Afghan arrivals under the Biden administration.
“We must re-examine every single alien who has entered from Afghanistan under Biden,” Trump said. “If they can’t love our country, we don’t want them.”
Federal agencies have responded by freezing processing of Afghan immigration cases and expanding reviews of asylum applications. The controversy over the vetting of Afghan refugees remains a hot-button political issue.
Following the attack, Trump also vowed to send 500 more National Guard troops to protect Washington DC, despite a federal judge ordering an end to the current deployment.
