Sarah Beckstrom Obituary, Death;- One of the two members of the National Guard who were shot in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday has passed away, as announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trump stated on Thursday that Specialist Sarah Beckstrom succumbed to her injuries, while a second National Guard member, Andrew Wolfe, 24, “is fighting for his life” and is “in very bad shape.”
“Sarah Beckstrom of West Virginia, one of the guardsmen we are discussing, was highly respected, young, and a magnificent individual. She began her service in June of ’23 and was outstanding in every aspect; she has just passed away,” Trump remarked during a call to service members from Palm Beach, Fla.
“She is no longer with us. She is watching over us right now,” Trump continued. “Her parents are with her. This just occurred. She was brutally attacked. She is deceased. She is not with us.”
The victims were deployed with the West Virginia National Guard to the U.S. capital as part of Trump’s crime-fighting initiative, which included taking control of the local police department. Nearly 2,200 guard members from various states were present in D.C. for this mission.
Both Beckstrom and Wolfe had been on orders in Washington since August, as reported by the West Virginia National Guard.
Beckstrom, a resident of Summersville, W.Va., volunteered for the operation “to ensure the safety and security of our nation’s capital,” according to a statement from the West Virginia National Guard.
She graduated from Webster County High School in June 2023 and enlisted with the guard that same month, serving “with distinction” as a military police officer, as stated by the guard. “She exemplified leadership, dedication, and professionalism.”
“Her loss is deeply felt across our One Guard Family and throughout the Mountain State,” the statement further noted.
“On behalf of Governor Patrick Morrisey and the entire West Virginia National Guard, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Spc. Beckstrom’s family, friends, and fellow Guardsmen. We mourn alongside them and honor her memory by continuing her commitment to service and excellence.
Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, took to X to pay tribute to Beckstrom, writing, “Our hearts and prayers go out to the family of 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom of the National Guard — a hero who volunteered to serve DC on Thanksgiving for people she never met and gave the ultimate sacrifice.”
“May she rest in peace. It is now time to avenge her death and secure justice,” she added.
The brazen daytime shooting of two National Guard members in the nation’s capital by a man authorities identified as an Afghan national has raised multiple questions.
Pirro said the suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, drove across the country to launch an “ambush-style” attack with a .357 Smith and Wesson revolver.
Video reviewed by investigators showed the assailant “came around the corner” and immediately started firing at the troops, according to Jeffery Carroll, an executive assistant D.C. police chief.
Troops ran over and held down the shooter, Carroll said, and he was taken into custody. Authorities believe he was the only gunman.
