National Guard Member Dies Following Shooting in Washington D.C.

Sarah Beckstrom, a member of the National Guard shot in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, has died, President Donald Trump said on Thursday.

“Sarah Beckstrom of West Virginia, one of the guardsmen that we’re talking about, highly respected, young, majestic person … She’s just passed away. she’s no longer with us,” Trump said in his first live remarks since the shooting.

Beckstrom, 20, was one of two National Guard members shot near the White House in a targeted attack. Andrew wolfe, 24, remains hospitalized adn is fighting for his life, according to the president.

Beckstrom’s father had told the New York Times earlier in the day that his daughter was unlikely to recover. “I’m holding her hand right now,” Gary beckstrom said. “She has a mortal wound.It’s not going to be a recovery.”

Both Beckstrom and Wolfe belonged to the West Virginia National Guard, which deployed hundreds of troops to Washington as part of Trump’s crime-fighting mission in the capital.

On Thursday, West virginia’s governor, Patrick Morrisey, confirmed Beckstrom’s death in a social media post: “Sarah served with courage, unusual resolve, and an unwavering sense of duty to her state and to her nation. She answered the call to serve, stepped forward willingly, and carried out her mission with the strength and character that define the very best of the West Virginia National Guard.”

Beckstrom, from Webster Springs, west Virginia, entered service in June 2023.

authorities have identified the suspect in the attack as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29.

Little is known about Lakanwal, but officials have confirmed that he came to the US in September 2021 from Afghanistan under a program for Afghans who had worked for the US government. he was granted asylum in April under the Trump administration, Reuters reported. Lakanwal worked with CIA-backed military units during the US war in Afghanistan, the CIA has confirmed.

A resident of eastern Afghanistan who identified himself as Lakanwal’s cousin told the Associated Press that he was originally from the province of Khost. The cousin, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, said Lakanwal had worked in a special Afghan Army unit.

A former official from the unit, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said Lakanwal was a team leader and his brother was a platoon leader.

The cousin said Lakanwal started out working as a…