U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, of the West Virginia National Guard, has died following a targeted shooting near the White House on Wednesday. The other service member wounded in the attack, Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in critical condition.
Beckstrom and Wolfe were part of a high-visibility National Guard patrol near the Farragut West Metro station when the shooting occurred. Authorities identified the suspected gunman as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, an Afghan national from Washington state. Lakanwal, who was hospitalized in serious condition after being shot by a nearby Guard member, was reportedly vetted by the CIA and U.S. authorities prior to his arrival in the United States under humanitarian parole.
President Donald Trump described Beckstrom as a “highly respected, young, magnificent person” who began her service in June 2023. “She’s just passed away. She’s no longer with us. She’s looking down at us right now. Her parents are with her,” he added. The president noted that Wolfe is “fighting for his life” and in “very bad shape.”
Officials, lawmakers, and leaders of the West Virginia National Guard offered condolences and emphasized Beckstrom’s dedication. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called her “an American hero, at home with the LORD,” while FBI Director Kash Patel observed, “Please join me in praying for Sarah’s family, friends, and fellow soldiers left behind.”
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey highlighted her courage and commitment, noting that she “answered the call to serve, stepped forward willingly, and carried out her mission with the strength and character that define the very best of the West Virginia National Guard.”
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro described Beckstrom as “a hero who volunteered to serve DC on Thanksgiving for people she never met and gave the ultimate sacrifice,” and added that the investigation will seek justice for her death. Pirro reported that the suspect drove from Washington state to target the Guardsmen and opened fire with a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver.
Following the incident, Trump ordered the deployment of an additional 500 National Guard troops to Washington. The shooting occurred amid a larger National Guard presence in the capital as part of federal measures addressing crime and security in the city. Authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the attack.
