Young National Guardsman Killed Near White House in Suspected Terror Attack, Nation Mourns Sarah Beckstrom
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The shooting near the White House on Wednesday has sent shockwaves across the United States.
The young victims — 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe — were gunned down in what the FBI is now treating as a suspected act of terrorism.
Late Thursday night, Donald Trump announced that the young woman had died.
Struck in the head
Chaos erupted Wednesday afternoon just two blocks from the White House when a gunman opened fire near the Farragut metro station in Washington, D.C.
National Guardsmen Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24, were on patrol when the shooting began. Both suffered life-threatening injuries.
Authorities said Beckstrom was struck in the head and chest by a .357 Magnum revolver around 2 p.m., after 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal allegedly opened fire. Wolfe was also hit — wounded by Beckstrom’s own weapon — before another nearby Guardsman fought back with only a pocket knife until a fourth service member shot the attacker in the buttocks and leg, finally stopping him.
During a Thursday press conference, D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro revealed that both Guardsmen “were sworn in less than 24 hours before they were shot on the street in Washington.”
They were rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
Specialist Beckstrom’s father, Gary Beckstrom, shared the heartbreaking update with The New York Times, saying: “She has a mortal wound. It’s not going to be a recovery.”
Hours later, during his Thanksgiving call with U.S. troops, President Donald Trump informed service members that Beckstrom had died, while Staff Sergeant Wolfe continued fighting for his life.
“She’s just passed away,” Trump said. “She’s no longer with us. She’s looking down at us right now. Her parents are with her.”
“I love West Virginia…”
Trump went on to describe Beckstrom as “an incredible person, outstanding in every single way.”
The suspected gunman, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, reportedly served in a CIA-backed Afghan military unit before immigrating to the United States, according to sources who spoke with the Associated Press.
When asked whether he planned to attend Beckstrom’s funeral, Trump responded: “It is certainly something I could conceive of.”
He added, “I love West Virginia, and I won West Virginia by one of the biggest margins of any president anywhere.”
He continued, “These are great people… but I haven’t given it any thought.”
His decision to reference his popularity in West Virginia drew criticism. According to The Mirror, several reporters in the room visibly reacted as soon as he made the remark.
Back in Beckstrom’s hometown of Webster Springs, West Virginia, the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post announced prayer vigils for the fallen soldier.
Their message read: “Our hearts are absolutely broken to share that Sarah has passed away from the injuries she sustained in the D.C. attack. There are no words big enough for this loss… We will still be gathering for the community vigils — now to honor Sarah’s memory, to lift up her family, and to pray for the other service member who remains injured.”
Community members have been encouraged to wear blue ribbons, Beckstrom’s symbolic color of honor and service.
Funeral arrangements for Specialist Beckstrom have not yet been announced.