US Crime
US: National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom, who was shot by Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, dies, announces Trump
US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced that one of the National Guard members, who was shot by a gunman in Washington DC, close to the White House, has died.
She has been identified as 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom.
"I heard that Sarah Beckstrom, of West Virginia ... highly respected, young, magnificent person, started service in June of 2023, outstanding in every way, she's just passed away," Trump said on Thanksgiving as quoted by Fox News.
"She's no longer with us. She's looking down at us right now. Her parents are with her. It's just happened. She was savagely attacked. She's dead now," he said.
The other service member, who was injured in the attack, was identified as Andrew Wolfe, 24.
Trump said Wolfe is still fighting for his life.
Meanwhile, West Virginia National Guard confirmed the death of the guard and said: "We are deeply saddened to confirm the death of one of our own, Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, a member of the West Virginia Army National Guard, who was shot in the line of duty near the Farragut Square Metro Station on November 26, 2025. Spc. Beckstrom was pronounced dead at MedStar Washington Hospital in the District of Columbia on November 27, 2025, as the result of wounds incurred during the shooting."
Spc. Beckstrom was enlisted in the West Virginia National Guard on June 26, 2023.
As per the Facebook post, she 'served with distinction' as a military police officer with the 863rd Military Police Company.
“On behalf of Governor Patrick Morrisey and the entire West Virginia National Guard, I extend my deepest condolences to Spc. Beckstrom’s family, friends, and fellow Guardsmen. We grieve alongside them and honor her memory by carrying forward her commitment to service, integrity, and excellence,” said Maj. Gen. Jim Seward, the Adjutant General of the West Virginia National Guard.
Washington National Guard shooter had past service with US-backed Afghan forces: Sources
A 29-year-old Afghan man arrested for shooting two West Virginia National Guard members near the White House had previously served alongside US forces, sources said.
Officials from the Afghan Taliban government said Rahmanullah Lakanwal was part of the elite “01 Unit” during the former Afghan Republic, a force created, trained, and outfitted by US intelligence agencies.
Taliban officials added that many former members of this unit are now struggling with serious psychological problems, which in some cases have led to suicides or violent attacks.
Washington shooting
Lakanwal, who authorities say “gravely wounded” two National Guard personnel, came to the United States during the tumultuous 2021 evacuation from Afghanistan.
According to The New York Post, he waited near the Farragut West Metro Station in Northwest Washington around 2:15 pm before ambushing the soldiers, shooting a female guard in the chest and then in the head.
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