National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom dies after White House-area shooting; suspect identified as Afghan national
Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, of Summersville, West Virginia, died from wounds after a targeted Nov. 26 shooting near the White House; Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe was also wounded. Authorities identified the suspect as an Afghan national, per ABC News.
Key takeaways
- Victim: Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, of Summersville, West Virginia, died of wounds from the Nov. 26 shooting; official release from the D.C. National Guard public affairs release.
- Wounded: Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, of the Air National Guard remains hospitalized and is “fighting for his life,” according to reporting from ABC News.
- Suspect: Authorities identified the alleged shooter as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who was shot and taken into custody; prosecutors plan to pursue terrorism charges, per South Dakota Public Broadcasting.
- Scene & weapon: The attack occurred near Farragut Square Metro Station about 2:15 p.m. on Nov. 26; investigators say a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver was used in what is described as a targeted attack.
The shooting near the White House
What happened: Investigators say the attack began around 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 26, when a gunman opened fire on two National Guard members on patrol near Farragut Square, just blocks from the White House. Both service members were shot, rushed to area hospitals and taken into surgery.
Nearby Guard members subdued the suspect at the scene before he was taken into custody and hospitalized in serious condition. District officials and prosecutors are treating the incident as a targeted attack rather than a random shooting.
“Authorities say the gunman used a .357 revolver in what they describe as a targeted attack.”
About Sarah Beckstrom
Background: Beckstrom enlisted in the West Virginia National Guard on June 26, 2023, and served as a military police soldier with the 863rd Military Police Company, 111th Engineer Brigade. She volunteered to serve in Washington, D.C., as part of Operation DC Safe and Beautiful and was a 2023 graduate of Webster County High School.
The West Virginia National Guard and Governor Patrick Morrisey expressed deep sorrow. The governor said Beckstrom “answered the call to serve” and displayed “the strength and character that define the very best” of the Guard, per the D.C. National Guard public affairs release.
President Trump, speaking during a Thanksgiving Day call to service members, announced Beckstrom’s death and praised her as a “highly respected, young, magnificent person,” according to national reporting by ABC News.
The suspect and the investigation
Identity and background: Authorities identified the alleged shooter as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, described as an Afghan national. Federal officials say Lakanwal drove across the country from Washington state to Washington, D.C., before the attack.
Federal investigators, citing interviews and records, say Lakanwal came to the United States in September 2021 after working with U.S. forces and the CIA as a member of a partner force in Kandahar during the Afghanistan conflict; CIA Director John Ratcliffe provided background to investigators, according to reporting by South Dakota Public Broadcasting.
Legal posture: The U.S. attorney’s office in D.C. has taken jurisdiction and signaled it will pursue the matter aggressively as a terrorism case given the fatality; prosecutors have said they may seek life in prison or the death penalty.
Investigators are reviewing the suspect’s travel, communications, and any ties to extremist groups or foreign actors. Authorities also plan to examine how the suspect obtained the weapon and whether intelligence or security lapses contributed to the attack.
Andrew Wolfe’s condition
Update: Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, of the Air National Guard remains hospitalized and is reported to be “fighting for his life.” Wolfe entered service with the Air National Guard in February 2019 and has earned multiple service medals during his career.
Family, fellow guardsmen and leaders have asked the public to keep Wolfe in their thoughts and prayers as he remains under medical care.
National Guard deployment context
Both Beckstrom and Wolfe were deployed to Washington, D.C., as part of a National Guard deployment that began in August 2025. The deployment is part of a broader effort by the administration to move Guard troops into several cities across the country.
That policy has prompted controversy and legal challenges, raising questions about the use of Guard troops for domestic missions, the protections afforded to Guardsmen on patrol, and the rules of engagement for homeland operations.
What authorities have said and next steps
Coordination: Local and federal officials are coordinating the probe, with the U.S. attorney’s office in D.C. taking lead. Investigators will analyze travel records, communications, and any foreign or domestic connections the suspect may have.
Officials say prosecutors will review options for terrorism-related charges and will present evidence to a grand jury as federal filings proceed. Updates are expected as court proceedings move forward.
Implications for United States
Security and economic impacts: The death of Specialist Beckstrom highlights risks faced by troops deployed for homeland missions and could prompt reviews of Guard mission assignments, protective gear funding, and local coordination costs.
Political consequences: The shooting will intensify debate over National Guard deployments to U.S. cities. Supporters emphasize the Guard’s role in security; critics raise civil liberties and safety concerns. Lawmakers from both parties may seek hearings and oversight.
Social effects: For Summersville and similar rural communities, the loss is deeply personal. Small towns that contribute many young service members may organize vigils, counseling and local support for families. Community leaders may need to prepare enhanced outreach for returning and deployed troops.
Practical applications for readers
If you have family in the Guard or are part of a local Guard community, contact your unit’s public affairs office for updates and guidance. Community leaders should consider organizing counseling, vigils and communication channels for concerned constituents.
Lawmakers and officials can expect constituent concern and calls for clearer safety protocols and oversight of deployment policies.
Reporting and sources
This article draws on official releases and national and local reporting. Key public sources include the D.C. National Guard public affairs release, reporting and analysis by South Dakota Public Broadcasting, and national coverage from ABC News. Further updates will follow as federal prosecutors and military officials release more information.
