Breaking: Trump Announces Female National Guardsmen Has Died Following DC Shooting
West Virginia National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, who was one of two guardsmen shot Wednesday at the Farragut West Metro Station in Washington, D.C., has died from her injuries, President Donald trump announced. The attacker, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021 after the American withdrawal from Afghanistan, is facing multiple charges. Initially charged with assault with intent to kill and firearm possession, Lakanwal will now face frist-degree murder charges following Beckstrom’s death. The second guardsman, Andrew Wolfe, remains in critical condition. Reports state that the attacker shouted “Allahu akbar” before opening fire, and the guardsmen defended themselves, with one stabbing the suspect and another shooting him. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.
President Donald Trump announced that one of the two West Virginia National Guardsmen who was shot Wednesday in Washington, D.C., succumbed to her wounds Thursday.
West Virginia National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and West Virginia Air National Guard Andrew Wolfe were allegedly attacked at the Farragut West Metro Station in Washington, D.C., roughly a mile from the White House by Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the United States in September 2021 after the American withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Beckstrom’s wounds were described as fatal on Thursday, according to The New York Times, as confirmed by her father before her passing.
.@POTUS announces that U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom of Summersville, West Virginia, one of the National Guardsmen savagely attacked yesterday in Washington, D.C., has just passed away.
May God be with her family 🙏 pic.twitter.com/BEbAOxmJme
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) November 27, 2025
“Sarah Beckstrom of West Virginia, one of the guardsmen that we’re talking about, highly respected, young, magnificent person, started service in June of 2023 outstanding in every way. She’s just passed away,” Trump said as he was about to call servicemenbers for Thanksgiving.
Both National Guardsmen were in critical condition since the Wednesday shooting.
Beckstrom’s father told the Times he was at the hospital with her.
“I’m holding her hand right now,” Gary Beckstrom said. “She has a mortal wound. It’s not going to be a recovery.”
“All we need right now are prayers for my son,” a man at Wolfe’s Martinsburg, West Virginia, family home said when contacted by the Times Thursday.
Beckstrom’s death means that Lakanwal, currently facing three counts of assault with intent to kill, will now face “murder in the first degree,” something U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro of the District of Columbia vowed would be the case if either Bergstrom or Wolfe died from their wounds during a Thanksgiving Day press conference.
“As we stand here today, the charges that are appropriate right now are three accounts of assault with intent to kill. He will be charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. He faces 15 years under the assault with the intent to kill,” Pirro told reporters.
“We intend to continue monitoring what the charges will be depending upon the well-being of the guardsmen. We are praying that they survive and that the highest charge will not have to be murder in the first degree. But make no mistake, if they do not, that will certainly be the charge: Murder in the first degree.”
Journalist Julio Rojas allegedly reported Lakanwal shouted “Allahu akbar!” before opening fire on the National Guardsmen with a Smith and Wesson revolver.
Upon coming under attack, one National Guardsman who didn’t have a firearm stabbed Lakanwal with a pocketknife, while an armed National Guardsman shot the suspected gunman multiple times, according to Rojas.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact [email protected].
Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."