United States President Donald Trump has confirmed that one of the two National Guard members shot near the White House has died, while the other remains in critical condition.
Trump announced on Friday, November 28, that Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old member of the West Virginia National Guard, succumbed to her injuries from the ambush that took place on Wednesday. Her fellow soldier, 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, “is fighting for his life” and remains in very serious condition, Trump said during a Thanksgiving video call with troops.
The suspected attacker, 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanaullah Lakanwal, had previously worked for the CIA in Afghanistan before immigrating to the United States in 2021, shortly after the withdrawal of Western forces. Authorities say Lakanwal ambushed Beckstrom and Wolfe while they were on patrol near the White House.
Beckstrom had joined the West Virginia National Guard two years ago after completing high school. Trump described her as a “highly respected, young, magnificent person,” praising her service and dedication.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro stated that prosecutors would pursue first-degree murder charges against Lakanwal if either or both victims do not survive the attack. “We are praying that they survive and that the highest charge will not have to be murder in the first degree,” Pirro said. “But make no mistake, if they do not, that will certainly be the charge.”
Following the incident, the Trump administration announced a sweeping review of green cards issued to immigrants from 19 countries, including Afghanistan. Joseph Edlow, head of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, confirmed that the president had ordered a “full-scale, rigorous re-examination of every green card for every alien from every country of concern.”
