WASHINGTON, D.C. — One member of the West Virginia National Guard has died and another is critically wounded after what officials are calling a “targeted” shooting Wednesday afternoon just blocks from the White House.
The incident occurred at approximately 2:15 p.m. ET near the entrance to the Farragut West Metro station in downtown Washington. Witnesses say the shooter waited in concealment before opening fire on two Guard members on patrol.
President Donald Trump addressed the nation to announce the death of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, age 20, of the West Virginia National Guard, describing her as a “highly respected, young, magnificent person.” He said the other victim, Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, age 24, is fighting for his life.
Authorities have identified the suspect as 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who entered the U.S. in September 2021 through the Operation Allies Welcome program. He reportedly was formerly affiliated with U.S. counter-terrorism units in Afghanistan.
The investigation is being treated as a possible act of terrorism. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has joined D.C. police and other federal agencies in probing the motive and the suspect’s background.
The deployment of West Virginia National Guard troops to Washington was part of a broader operational push by the Trump administration to address rising crime and unrest. The Guard had been in D.C. since August under orders from Governor Patrick Morrisey; the mission has drawn legal scrutiny over its constitutionality.
Mayor Muriel Bowser called the shooting “an ambush-style attack” on uniformed service members carrying out patrol duties.
In response to the attack, President Trump ordered the deployment of an additional 500 National Guard troops to Washington and announced a sweeping review of immigration policies, particularly those allowing Afghan nationals into the U.S. under recent resettlement programs.
Family, friends and fellow service members are gathering at vigils and memorial services across West Virginia while the nation mourns. The Guard unit released a statement: “The loss of Specialist Beckstrom deeply saddens us. Our thoughts are with Staff Sgt. Wolfe and his family in this critical hour.”
The full extent of motive, whether the attack was ideologically driven or otherwise, remains unclear. Investigators say they are reviewing the suspect’s immigration records, social media footprint, and travel routes. The Major Crime Task Force in D.C. has taken over the case and officials say more updates will follow.
Sources & Links:
- The Guardian
- Reuters
- The Washington Post
- TIME
- AP News
- People.com
- Le Monde.fr
- ABC News
- CBS News
- Al Jazeera
- West Virginia Watch
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