Fatal Shooting of National Guard Members in DC Sparks Investigation

Sarah Beckstrom, WV National Guard member, died after D.C. shooting. President Trump confirmed the news Thursday.

November 27, 2025

Updated November 27, 2025 at 7:32 PM EST

In a tragic turn of events, a member of the West Virginia National Guard, Sarah Beckstrom, has succumbed to injuries following a shooting incident in Washington, D.C. This was announced by President Trump during a Thanksgiving call to service members, who also shared that another Guard member, Andrew Wolfe, remains in critical condition.

Governor Patrick Morrisey of West Virginia confirmed Beckstrom’s passing, acknowledging her service and dedication: “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,” he stated.

The unfortunate incident occurred while Beckstrom, 20, and Wolfe, 24, were on patrol near the White House. Both were transported to a hospital where they underwent surgery. The U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, identified the alleged assailant as Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who traveled from Washington state to carry out what is being called a “targeted attack” using a .357 Smith and Wesson revolver.

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U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro speaks to the press Thursday about the investigation into the shooting of two West Virginia National Guard members. Looking on are Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser (from left), D.C. Executive Assistant Police Chief Jeffery Carroll and FBI Director Kash Patel.

Pirro announced that the shooter faces terrorism charges and could face life imprisonment or even the death penalty if either Guard member dies. Currently, the suspect is hospitalized. Beckstrom and Wolfe had been stationed in D.C. since August as part of a deployment.

Beckstrom, an Army specialist from Summersville, West Virginia, joined the National Guard in 2023. She served with the 863rd Military Police Company, 111th Engineer Brigade. Wolfe, an Air Force staff sergeant from Martinsburg, West Virginia, has been with the Force Support Squadron, 167th Airlift Wing since 2019.

FBI Director Kash Patel revealed a “coast-to-coast” investigation is underway, with search warrants executed at the suspect’s residences in Bellingham, Washington, and San Diego. Inquiries are also being conducted internationally. CIA Director John Ratcliffe noted that the suspect was admitted to the U.S. in 2021 due to his previous work with the U.S. Government, including the CIA.

The incident coincides with President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to various cities, including the capital, which has sparked controversy and legal challenges.

Officials Describe the Shooting as “Targeted”

The attack took place at approximately 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday, as explained by Jeffery Carroll, executive assistant chief of the Metropolitan Police Department. Carroll stated the gunman approached the corner and fired at the Guard members on duty. Other Guard members nearby managed to subdue the shooter, who was then taken into custody. It remains unclear who fired at the suspect.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser labeled the incident a “targeted” attack. President Trump, on Truth Social, condemned the attack, referring to the shooter as an “animal” and promising severe consequences. The president was in Florida at the time of the incident.

National Guard members respond to the shooting of two West Virginia Guard members near the White House on Wednesday.

Suspected Shooter’s Background

President Trump, in a video message, stated that the shooter immigrated from Afghanistan in 2021. The Department of Homeland Security identified the suspect as part of a program called Operation Allies Welcome, initiated by the Biden administration to admit Afghan nationals after the Taliban’s return to power. These individuals were granted temporary parole and had to pursue other legal avenues to remain in the U.S.

Lakanwal had served in Afghanistan’s elite counterterrorism units, operated by the CIA, according to AfghanEvac, a nonprofit run by U.S. veterans. CIA’s Ratcliffe emphasized the shooter’s past U.S. government affiliations in a statement, criticizing the Biden administration’s decision to bring him to the U.S.

The shooting’s motive remains unclear. In his video statement, Trump called the incident “an act of terror,” advocating for stricter immigration measures for Afghan nationals and others who entered the U.S. under Biden. Subsequently, U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services halted immigration applications from Afghan nationals pending security reviews.

Fox News reported that charges against the shooter depend on the Guards’ condition, with potential terrorism charges leading to life imprisonment. The investigation remains ongoing.

Law enforcement officials secure the scene after two National Guard members were shot in downtown Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.

Additional Troop Deployment Ordered

In his address, Trump announced an additional deployment of 500 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the order. Since August, over 2,000 Guard troops from various states, including West Virginia, have been stationed in the capital amid concerns over crime rates.

The deployment to Democratic-led cities, including D.C., has sparked legal challenges, with a federal judge recently ruling the use of troops in D.C. unlawful. However, the injunction has not yet taken effect pending the Trump administration’s appeal.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

NPR’s Juliana Kim contributed reporting.

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