US President Donald Trump confirmed that one of the two National Guard members shot in Washington, DC, on Wednesday has died from her injuries. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, a member of the West Virginia Army National Guard, succumbed on Thursday after being shot at close range near Farragut Square. The second victim, 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, remains in critical condition and is “fighting for his life.”
Authorities have arrested Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, an Afghan national, in connection with the attack. Initially charged with assault, prosecutors announced on Friday that the charges will be upgraded to first-degree murder, with US Attorney Jeanine Pirro describing the incident as a premeditated ambush.
🚨 BREAKING: DC Police just CONFIRMED the assailant AMBUSHED National Guard troops in DC, coming around a corner and opening fire on uniformed troops
The suspect was then shot, and National Guard subdued the suspect until federal agents arrived
DEMOCRAT MUST STOP THEIR LIES, as… pic.twitter.com/LMgWvE6TCr
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) November 26, 2025
The soldiers had been deployed to Washington as part of the administration’s effort to address what it calls rising crime in major US cities. The attack has prompted a series of rapid policy reactions from the White House, including suspending immigration processing for Afghans and reviewing green cards for individuals from 19 countries.
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Beckstrom had volunteered to serve during the Thanksgiving holiday. Leaders from West Virginia expressed deep sorrow at her death and extended prayers for Wolfe’s recovery.
