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National Guard member dies in Washington DC shooting; second fights for life
One of two National Guard soldiers shot in downtown Washington DC on Wednesday has died, US President Donald Trump confirmed Thursday evening. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, succumbed to her injuries, while Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in critical condition, Trump announced during a Thanksgiving call with service members.
Shooting details and suspect arrest
The attack occurred just after 2:00 PM EST (19:00 GMT) near Farragut Square, where both guardsmen were on high-visibility patrol. Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, was arrested in connection with the close-range shooting, law enforcement officials said.
Lakanwal, who entered the US in 2021 under the Operation Allies Welcome program for Afghan allies, was shot four times by responding officers, according to sources cited by CBS News. He now faces three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, plus firearms charges, US Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated at a Thursday briefing-before Beckstrom's death was confirmed.
Victims and deployment context
Beckstrom, assigned to West Virginia's 863rd Military Police Company, had enlisted in June 2023 and volunteered for the DC deployment over Thanksgiving, Attorney General Pam Bondi told Fox News. Wolfe, also deployed since August, remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Both were part of a 2,000-strong National Guard contingent sent to DC amid Trump's crackdown on what he termed "out-of-control" urban crime. The troops, though armed, lack arrest powers under their limited authority.
"Sarah Beckstrom of West Virginia... highly respected, young, magnificent person... She's just passed away. She's no longer with us."
President Donald Trump, Thanksgiving call with service members
Suspect's background and immigration scrutiny
Lakanwal had assisted US forces at Kabul Airport during the 2021 Taliban takeover, a former commander told the BBC Afghan Service. His unit, originally under CIA oversight, was airlifted to the US days before Kabul fell. He received asylum in 2024, officials confirmed.
The shooting has triggered sweeping immigration reviews. Trump ordered a halt to all Afghan immigration requests and a "rigorous re-examination" of green cards issued to nationals from 19 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, and Venezuela, per a June White House proclamation. He also vowed to "permanently pause migration" from unspecified "third-world countries."
"We are praying that [the victims] survive... But if they do not, [Lakanwal] will face murder in the first degree."
US Attorney Jeanine Pirro, Thursday press conference
Reactions and legal next steps
West Virginia Senator Jim Justice called Beckstrom's death "absolutely devastating," offering condolences to her family and prayers for Wolfe's recovery. Attorney General Bondi labeled Lakanwal a "monster" and vowed to seek the death penalty, citing his immigration status as a "failure of the system."
The FBI confirmed Lakanwal's prior ties to US-aligned Afghan forces. His asylum approval and the attack's proximity to the White House-where multiple agencies responded-have intensified scrutiny of vetting processes for Afghan evacuees.
Lakanwal's next court appearance has not been scheduled. Prosecutors may upgrade charges to first-degree murder following Beckstrom's death.
