Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old member of the United States Army, succumbed to her injuries on Thursday following a deadly shooting near the White House on Wednesday afternoon.
The tragic news was shared by President Donald Trump himself.
"We are heartbroken to confirm the passing of one of our own, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, who was shot while on duty near Farragut Square Metro Station on Wednesday. Specialist Beckstrom was pronounced dead at MedStar Washington Hospital on November 27 due to the injuries sustained during the shooting," stated the National Guard on X.
The ambush-style attack also left another National Guard member in critical condition.
The incident has sparked a national outcry and reignited discussions surrounding immigration policies implemented after the Afghanistan withdrawal.
Targeted Attack in the Nation's Capital
The incident occurred at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday near Farragut Square Park, just two blocks from the White House.
According to Jeffery Carroll, Deputy Executive Director of Specialized Operations at the Metropolitan Police Department, the assailant "rounded a corner and immediately began shooting at the National Guard members."
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser labeled it a premeditated attack: “This was a targeted shooting.”
Both soldiers were shot in the head, leading to their critical transport to nearby hospitals.
Initial reports were confusing. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, where both soldiers were from, initially declared on X that both had died but later retracted after receiving "conflicting reports."
Sarah Beckstrom: A Young Life Dedicated to Service
President Trump announced the devastating loss: “I learned that Sarah Beckstrom, from West Virginia, one of the guards we talked about, a highly respected young woman and a wonderful person, started her service in June 2023, excelling in every way, has just passed away.”
Later, during a Thanksgiving call to the military, he expressed sorrow: “She has just passed away. She is no longer with us. She is watching over us right now.”
Originally from Summersville, Beckstrom graduated in 2023 from Webster County High School and served in the 863rd Military Police Company, 111th Engineer Brigade of the West Virginia Army National Guard.
She had volunteered to serve in D.C. during the holidays.
“She volunteered, like many of those guards, both men and women, so others could be home with their families, but now their families are in hospital rooms with them as they fight for their lives,” Attorney General Pam Bondi told Fox News.
The New York Times quoted her father, Gary Beckstrom, who was with her until the end: “I’m holding her hand right now.”
Her ex-partner, Adam Carr, shared memories with CNN: “She would wake up with me in the mornings when I went to work. Made me lunch before I left, because I never wanted to do it and didn’t care, but she did. She waited for me every time I came home, thrilled, waiting at the door to give me a hug as I walked in.”
Beckstrom aspired to join the FBI and viewed her time in the Guard as a stepping stone. Despite initial fears about being in the capital, she adapted and even requested to extend her stay: “I loved her so much. She never deserved any of this. I always wished her the best.”
Andrew Wolfe: Still Fighting for His Life
The second injured soldier, Andrew Wolfe, 24, an Air Force sergeant and member of the Force Support Squadron, 167th Airlift Wing, remains hospitalized.
“Please keep my son in your prayers,” his father, Jason Wolfe, told CNN.
“He’s a great person and a fighter,” he added.
Neighbors and acquaintances have also expressed their grief. Michael Langone, a neighbor in Martinsburg, described him as “a great guy, a great neighbor.”
Others remembered him as hardworking and kind. “It’s scary to think one of our own is down there getting hurt,” said another neighbor, Tina Gesford.
An Assailant with Military Ties to the U.S.
The shooter has been identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29.
According to the CIA, he previously worked with a U.S.-backed unit during the Afghanistan war, specifically in Kandahar, and was evacuated after the troop withdrawal in September 2021.
“He previously worked with the USG, including the CIA, as a member of an associated force in Kandahar that ended in 2021,” a CIA spokesperson said.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe was more pointed: “Following Biden’s disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal, the Biden Administration justified moving the alleged shooter to the United States… This individual, and many others, should never have been allowed here.”
In response, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the suspension of immigration applications for Afghan citizens pending further security protocol review.
Trump's Response: "He Will Pay a High Price"
From his Mar-a-Lago residence, President Donald Trump referred to the attacker as an “animal” and declared that “he will pay a high price.”
On his Truth Social platform, he wrote: "God bless our great National Guard and all our Armed Forces and law enforcement. They are truly extraordinary people. I, as President of the United States, and all associated with the Office of the Presidency, stand with you!”
In a late-night address, he condemned the attack: “It was an act of evil, an act of hate, and an act of terror. It was a crime against our entire nation.”
He stated that the suspect entered the country following the troop withdrawal: “To the best available information, the Department of Homeland Security believes the suspect in custody is a foreigner who entered our country from Afghanistan.”
While Trump didn’t explicitly confirm Lakanwal’s Afghan nationality, he referred to Afghanistan as “a hell on Earth.”
Vigil and Tribute
The Webster Springs community held a vigil on Thursday night to honor Sarah Beckstrom’s memory and to pray for Wolfe.
A woman who knew her from nursing classes said: "I didn’t know anyone here or anywhere else who was as kind and caring as she was. She really made everyone happier.”
That same day, local and federal forces paid tribute to Beckstrom with an honorable transfer in Washington D.C., as part of the protocol for fallen service members.
Ongoing Investigation
FBI Director Kash Patel stated that his agency is assisting in the investigation. Carroll, from the Metropolitan Police Department, confirmed that the attack was carried out by a lone gunman.
According to Telemundo 44, other National Guard members heard the gunshots and quickly subdued the attacker. No one else was injured.
The entire area of the attack remains cordoned off. So far, no clear motive has been revealed.
Key Details About the Shooting Near the White House
Who was Sarah Beckstrom?
Sarah Beckstrom was a 20-year-old member of the United States Army, serving in the West Virginia Army National Guard. She was tragically killed in a shooting near the White House.
What was the motive behind the shooting?
As of now, no clear motive has been revealed for the shooting. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to determine the assailant's intentions.
Who is Andrew Wolfe?
Andrew Wolfe is a 24-year-old Air Force sergeant who was critically injured in the same attack that killed Sarah Beckstrom. He remains hospitalized and in need of prayers and support.
What actions has the US government taken in response?
In response to the attack, USCIS has suspended immigration applications for Afghan citizens, pending a review of security protocols. President Trump has condemned the attack and vowed that the attacker will face severe consequences.