One National Guard member killed by Afghan national

President Donald Trump announced that Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, a member of the West Virginia National Guard, has died after being shot near the White House by an Afghan national. Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in critical condition. Trump described the shooter, who previously worked with the CIA in Afghanistan, as a savage monster.

Speaking during a Thanksgiving call with U.S. troops, Trump said, Shes just passed away. Shes no longer with us. Her parents are with her. He praised Beckstrom as an incredible person, outstanding in every single way, and confirmed he had spoken with her parents.

The president characterized the shooting as a terrorist attack and criticized the Biden administration for allowing Afghans who assisted U.S. forces during the Afghanistan War to enter the country. Trump also referenced National Guard deployments linked to his administrations deportation efforts.

During the remarks, Trump displayed a photo of Afghan evacuees on a military plane from Kabul in 2021 and suggested that the shooter had become mentally unstable following the war. He went cuckoo. I mean, he went nuts, Trump said.

The Suspect

The accused gunman is 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal. Sources told The Associated Press that he served in a CIA-supported Afghan Army unit before moving to the U.S. Lakanwals work history and resettlement through Operation Allies Welcome drew scrutiny from Trump, who criticized the asylum system for inadequate vetting. We have no greater national security priority than ensuring that we have full control over the people that enter and remain in our country, he said.

Lakanwal was charged with assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Prosecutors indicated that charges could be upgraded following Beckstroms death. The suspect was also shot but is not believed to be in critical condition.

Background and Afghanistan Service

Lakanwal, originally from Khost province, Afghanistan, served in the Zero Units, a special Afghan Army team supported by the CIA. He started as a security guard in 2012, later becoming a team leader and GPS specialist. His family confirmed his military service and warned of reprisals if identified publicly.

The Zero Units were involved in frontline operations alongside CIA paramilitary officers and played a significant role during the U.S. withdrawal from Kabul, providing security around the airport. CIA Director John Ratcliffe stated Lakanwals official U.S. government relationship ended after the evacuation.

Resettlement in the U.S.

Lakanwal arrived in the United States in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, a Biden administration initiative that relocated tens of thousands of Afghans who aided U.S. efforts. He received asylum under the Trump administration. He currently lives in Bellingham, Washington, with his wife and five children.

Following the incident, Trump called for a review of all Afghan refugees admitted under the Biden administration. Joseph Edlow, director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, confirmed enhanced screening measures for individuals from 19 high-risk countries, without naming them.

Analysis: Implications of the White House Shooting

The recent shooting near the White House, resulting in the death of Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and critical injuries to Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, highlights vulnerabilities in security protocols and the complex consequences of resettlement policies for Afghan nationals. The accused shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, has a documented history with U.S.-supported Afghan forces, raising questions about vetting and monitoring after resettlement.

President Trump characterized the attack as a "terrorist incident" and criticized the Biden administration for admitting Afghans who assisted U.S. forces. He linked Lakanwal’s mental instability to his wartime experiences, emphasizing the challenges of integrating former foreign military personnel into civilian life while maintaining national security.

Legally, Lakanwal faces assault and firearms charges, with the potential for escalation following Beckstrom’s death. The case underscores the tension between humanitarian commitments, like Operation Allies Welcome, and the need for rigorous security screening and ongoing oversight of individuals admitted under such programs.

Moving forward, this incident is likely to prompt a re-evaluation of vetting procedures for high-risk entrants and renewed scrutiny of post-resettlement monitoring. It also reinforces the broader debate over balancing U.S. foreign policy obligations with domestic safety priorities.

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• One National Guard member shot by Afghan national has died