President Donald Trump made a Thanksgiving Day announcement that U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom of West Virginia, one of two National Guardsmen attacked in Washington D.C. Wednesday, had died.
He called the 20-year-old a “highly respected, young, magnificent person,” and said that she began her service in June 2023. She was assigned to the 863rd Military Police Company, 111th Engineer Brigade, of the West Virginia National Guard.
According to a notice from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, Beckstrom and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, were wounded in a shooting near the Farragut Square Metro Station at approximately 2:25 p.m. Wednesday. Both have been on orders in D.C. since August. Per CBS News, U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro said earlier Thursday that Wolf as in critical condition after undergoing surgery.
A suspect in the shooting is in custody, said authorities. He has been identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, “a criminal alien from Afghanistan,” by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
“The suspect who shot our brave National Guardsmen is an Afghan national who was one of the many unvetted, mass paroled into the United States under Operation Allies Welcome on September 8, 2021, under the Biden Administration. I will not utter this depraved individual’s name. He should be starved of the glory he so desperately wants,” said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, referring to the administration of former President Joe Biden.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.) said Thursday that she was “heartbroken,” to learn of Beckstrom’s death.
“I am continuing to stay in close contact with the West Virginia National Guard and law enforcement as they work to support the second Guardsman, Andrew Wolfe, who remains under medical care. Charlie and I are praying for his recovery, and for everyone affected by this senseless violence,” she said. “Our state will never forget Sarah’s service, her sacrifice, and the dedication she showed to her state and her country. We will continue to stand firmly with her family and with the West Virginia National Guard community during this incredibly painful time.”