National Guard Member Sarah Beckstrom Dies After Shooting Near White House
Army National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, was fatally shot during an afternoon attack near the White House in Washington, D.C., according to the article’s account. Her fellow Guardsman, Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, remains in critical condition. The 26 November 2025 shooting has prompted an extensive federal investigation into the motive behind the assault.
The incident unfolded around 2:15 p.m. near the Farragut West metro station, only a short distance from the White House. Beckstrom and Wolfe, both from West Virginia, were conducting a foot patrol tied to an ongoing security deployment when a gunman approached them.
The attacker, identified in the report as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, allegedly fired at close range, striking both soldiers. He was injured during a return exchange and taken into custody. The article states that Lakanwal arrived in the U.S. in 2021 through a resettlement programme and received asylum approval in 2025.
Investigators have reportedly collected electronic devices from his home and launched a national probe to determine whether he acted alone or had outside influences. No motive has yet been confirmed.
Beckstrom’s death was acknowledged by national leaders and the West Virginia National Guard. She enlisted in 2023 and was deployed to Washington in August as part of a federal mission.
Her hometown has held vigils, with friends and teachers remembering her dedication to service and her ambitions in law enforcement.
The shooting has also stirred political debate. According to the article, the administration has ordered a review of immigration screening and temporarily paused new Afghan applications as authorities continue the investigation.
