National Guard Tragedy Rocks Washington
A somber atmosphere enveloped Washington D.C. after a deadly ambush claimed the life of a National Guard soldier and left another fighting for his life. The shooting occurred on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, near the White House, prompting immediate street closures and a massive security response.
President Donald Trump confirmed the tragic news on Thursday, identifying the fallen soldier as 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom. Her fellow Guardsman, 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, remains in critical condition, battling severe injuries sustained during the attack.
Terrorism Investigation Underway
Federal authorities have launched a comprehensive terrorism investigation into the shooting. The suspect has been identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who previously served in a CIA-backed unit in Afghanistan before arriving in the United States in 2021 through a resettlement program.
According to FBI Director Kash Patel, investigators have conducted multiple property searches, including a residence in Washington state connected to Lakanwal. Numerous electronic devices were seized during these operations, including cellphones, laptops, and iPads, as part of the expanding probe.
U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C. Jeanine Pirro revealed that the suspect had driven cross-country before carrying out the ambush. The attack unfolded Wednesday afternoon when Lakanwal allegedly targeted the Guard members while they were conducting routine patrols near the White House.
Attack Details and Aftermath
The assailant, armed with a powerful .357 Magnum revolver, first shot one Guard member who fell to the ground, then fired multiple times at the second member. During an exchange of gunfire with the Guardsmen, the suspect was wounded before being apprehended by authorities.
Lakanwal currently remains hospitalized under heavy guard and is reported to be in serious condition. Washington Metropolitan Police Department executive assistant chief Jeff Carroll indicated that the suspect, who lived in Washington state with his wife and five children, appears to have acted alone.
President Trump expressed the nation's collective horror during a Thanksgiving call with military service members, describing the attacker as a "savage monster" and emphasizing that the atrocity underscores the critical importance of immigration vetting procedures.
The incident has sparked intense scrutiny of immigration policies, with Trump administration officials pointing to potential failures in Biden-era vetting systems. A sweeping review of asylum cases has been initiated in response to the attack.
