A member of the United States National Guard has died following a targeted shooting near the White House, and another is fighting for life, in what authorities call an “ambush-style” attack.
The victim was identified as Sarah Beckstrom, 20, a West Virginia Guard specialist, who succumbed to her wounds on Thursday, according to U.S. officials. Her comrade, Andrew Wolfe, 24, also of the West Virginia Guard, remains in critical condition after sustaining serious injuries in the attack.
President Donald Trump, speaking to U.S. service members on Thanksgiving, called the shooting “a savage attack” and confirmed Beckstrom’s death, pledging that “the person responsible will be brought to justice.”
What happened — ambush near a metro station
The shooting took place on November 26 around 2:15 p.m. near the Farragut West Metro station, just blocks from the White House, when a lone gunman opened fire on the two National Guard soldiers during their patrol.
Authorities said the suspect used a .357-caliber revolver in the attack, firing multiple shots. One of the guards was struck first, then the shooter reportedly fired again at the second soldier. Other Guard members responded swiftly, returning fire and subduing the suspect.
The gunman has been identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who was granted asylum in April 2025 after relocating to the U.S. under a resettlement program.
Federal authorities, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), are investigating the shooting as a potential act of terrorism.
Fallout — security, immigration and national response
In the wake of the shooting, the White House announced a sweeping review of asylum and immigration policies, with President Trump calling for a “permanent pause” on migration from countries he termed “third world” — a move that has stirred controversy and sparked debate over refugee vetting procedures.
Despite a recent court ruling declaring the deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. illegal, the president ordered an additional 500 Guard members to be sent to the capital following the attack.
Locally and nationally, the shooting has reignited discussions about the role of military forces in domestic policing, the risk faced by service members, and the balance between security and civil liberties.
Memorial and next steps
Officials have confirmed that the investigation is ongoing. Searches of the suspect’s properties in Washington state are underway, with investigators seizing multiple electronic devices.
In a statement, U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro said that if the wounded guard member does not survive, charges will likely be upgraded to first-degree murder.
Families of the victims, fellow Guard members and national leaders are mourning. For many, the incident stands as a tragic reminder that even those tasked with protecting the capital are not immune to violence — and that the fight against extremism and violence at home remains urgent.
