West Virginia National Guard member who had just begun her active-duty service has died after a shooting steps away from the White House, sending shockwaves through the Guard community and prompting a broad federal investigation.
Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, was one of two soldiers caught in what authorities are calling an ambush-style attack Wednesday afternoon in downtown Washington, D.C. She suffered life-threatening injuries and later died at the hospital.
Former President Donald Trump announced her passing during public remarks, describing Beckstrom as “a remarkable young woman” who had been serving since June 2023. “She is no longer with us, but she is looking down on us now,” he said.
The second soldier, Specialist Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in critical condition and is said to be “fighting for his life.” Both Beckstrom and Wolfe had been sworn into active duty less than a day before the shooting. Beckstrom was from Webster Springs, while Wolfe is from Martinsburg, West Virginia.
Federal authorities have identified the suspected gunman as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, an immigration program assisting Afghan partners after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. He later settled in Bellingham, Washington, with his wife and five children.
Investigators say Lakanwal previously served in the Afghan Special Forces and fought alongside U.S. troops. He applied for asylum in 2024, and although it was approved, officials now report that his legal status expired in September 2025—meaning he was in the country without lawful permission at the time of the attack.
Sources familiar with the investigation say Lakanwal may have shouted something in a foreign language during the shooting. The FBI has launched a counterterrorism investigation, though no official determination about motive has been made.
The attack unfolded near the Farragut Metro Station, just blocks from the White House. Witnesses reported hearing between 10 and 15 gunshots as the incident escalated into an exchange of fire. Lakanwal was shot multiple times before being taken into custody. He is currently hospitalized and, according to authorities, refusing to cooperate.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey expressed deep grief over the loss of Beckstrom and the uncertainty surrounding Wolfe’s condition.
“Denise and I are devastated by this tragedy,” he said. “Our prayers remain with these brave service members, their families, and the entire Guard community.”
D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb condemned the shooting, calling it a heartbreaking moment for both the city and the country. “Violence is never the answer and must be condemned swiftly and without hesitation,” he said.
Federal agencies—including the FBI, DHS, and military intelligence—are now combing through Lakanwal’s background, travel history, and potential communications to determine whether the attack qualifies as terrorism. Investigators executed a search warrant at his Washington State home Wednesday night, gathering evidence to help piece together what led to the deadly encounter.
