Facts about the National Guard members targeted in the D.C. shooting

One of the two National Guard members injured in a deliberate ambush near the White House on Wednesday afternoon has passed away, President Donald Trump announced Thursday evening. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, succumbed to her injuries, Trump said during a Thanksgiving phone call with U.S. troops. The president stated he had learned of her death shortly before speaking.

Sarah Beckstrom from West Virginia, one of the guardsmen we are discussing highly respected, young, outstanding in every way, began her service in June 2023 has passed away. She is no longer with us and is watching over us now, Trump said.

The other National Guard member, Andrew Wolfe, remains hospitalized in critical condition. Trump described Wolfe as fighting for his life and in very bad shape. Both soldiers are part of the West Virginia National Guard, according to Jeanine Pirro, U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia.

Beckstrom and Wolfe were on duty with the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Mission when they were shot at approximately 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, the West Virginia National Guard confirmed. The shooting happened less than a day after they were officially deputized to maintain patrol duties, according to the joint task force investigating the incident.

The suspected shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was also injured and taken to a hospital. He is facing three charges of assault with intent to kill while armed and one count of possessing a firearm during a violent crime. Lakanwal, an Afghan national, previously collaborated with U.S. forces during the Afghanistan conflict, according to the CIA.

Wolfe, 24, from Martinsburg, West Virginia, joined the service on February 5, 2019. He is a U.S. Air Force staff sergeant with the Force Support Squadron, 167th Airlift Wing. Beckstrom, from Webster Springs, West Virginia, began her service on June 26, 2023, and was assigned to the 863rd Military Police Company, 111th Engineer Brigade, as a U.S. Army specialist.

The National Guard had been stationed in Washington, D.C., since August following Trumps directive to deploy troops in response to rising crime. Beckstroms father, Gary Beckstrom, honored his daughter on Facebook, writing: My baby girl has passed to glory. This is a terrible tragedy. He had previously told The New York Times that her injuries were fatal and she was unlikely to survive. Im holding her hand right now. Shes not going to recover, he said.

Beckstroms family did not respond immediately to requests for comment, while Wolfes father, Jason Wolfe, asked the public to Just pray for my son.

The news of Sarah Beckstrom's death, one of the two National Guard members who were ambushed near the White House on Wednesday, highlights a troubling escalation of violence directed at military personnel within U.S. borders. Beckstrom, only 20 years old, tragically succumbed to injuries she sustained during the attack. The incident has raised many questions about the security of National Guard members who are deployed to safeguard the nation’s capital in increasingly volatile circumstances.

Beckstrom and her fellow guardsman, Andrew Wolfe, were stationed in Washington, D.C., as part of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Mission following a directive from President Trump in response to rising crime. The tragic event took place barely a day after they were officially deputized for their patrol duties. While Wolfe remains hospitalized in critical condition, the attack has left many wondering whether enough is being done to protect service members who are facing increasingly unpredictable and violent threats.

The assailant, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who had previously worked with U.S. forces during the Afghanistan conflict, remains in custody facing multiple charges. His motives remain unclear, and the investigation is ongoing. However, the nature of the attack on these soldiers raises serious concerns about the growing threats directed at military personnel in non-combat situations.

This tragedy is a stark reminder of the risks faced by National Guard members who are often deployed in sensitive locations under difficult and dangerous circumstances. As the investigation continues, it will be critical to assess not only the security measures surrounding deployments but also the broader implications for the safety of those who serve in the National Guard. The death of Beckstrom and the critical condition of Wolfe are a reminder that the risks to service members extend far beyond the battlefield.

Sources:

• What we know about the National Guard members who were victims of the D.C. shooting