National guard member Sarah Beckstrom has died after shooting in Washington DC, Trump announces
Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old West Virginia National Guard member, died from injuries sustained in a shooting near the White House in Washington, D.C., on November 27, 2025. President Donald Trump announced her death during a Thanksgiving video call with U.S. troops, describing her as a “highly respected, young, magnificent person” and “incredible” in every way.
Incident Details
The shooting occurred around 2:00 PM ET on Wednesday, targeting two National Guard members on patrol blocks from the White House. The second victim, 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, remains in critical condition and is fighting for his life.
Suspect and Investigation
Authorities arrested 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who had previously worked with the CIA in Afghanistan and entered the U.S. legally. Trump called the attack a “terrorist attack” by a “savage monster,” criticizing prior administration vetting of Afghan allies. The FBI is investigating it as terrorism.
