National Guardswoman, 20, dies following White House shooting as dad shares tragic statement
A National Guardswoman who was one of two shot in Washington DC on Wednesday (26 November) has died as a result of her injuries.
The horrific shooting, which was identified as a 'targeted attack', took place a number of blocks from the White House.
A suspect was shot in the incident before being taken into custody, though his injuries are said not to be life-threatening.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe revealed that the man 'should have never been allowed to come here', making a shocking revelation about his link to the US military.
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He named the suspect as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, an Afghan national who entered the US following its withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021.
Arriving under 'Operation Allies Welcome', Lakanwal had worked with the CIA and other government entities while being a member of a partner force in Afghanistan, Ratcliffe revealed.
As the FBI takes the lead on the investigation, it was reported that the shooting, which took place around 2:15pm on Wednesday, is being treated as a possible act of international terrorism.
President Donald Trump has now revealed that Sarah Beckstrom, 20, one of the members of the National Guard shot in the capital, has died.
He shared that Andrew Wolfe, 24, who was also shot, is 'fighting for his life'.
Trump revealed the news during a Thanksgiving call with members of the US military, stating: "Sarah Beckstrom of West Virginia, one of the guardsmen that we're talking about, highly respected, young, magnificent person ... She's just passed away. She's no longer with us."
The president also spoke with her parents, according to CBS News, as it was revealed that the National Guard member enlisted on 26 June 2023 and was assigned to the 863rd Military Police Company, 111th Engineer Brigade of the West Virginia Army National Guard.
The National Guard itself is a reserve force within the US military serving as a dual mission, acting under the authorities of state governors and the federal government, with the majority members being part-time personnel who usually train one weekend a month, and two weeks per year.
It was revealed that Beckstrom volunteered to work in DC over the Thanksgiving holiday so others could be with their families, said Attorney General Pam Bondi via Fox News.
Her father, Gary Beckstrom, has since posted an emotional message on Facebook following her passing, writing: “My baby girl has passed to glory. If I don’t talk to you don’t be offend[ed] this has been a horrible tragedy.”
When The New York Times reached out to him on Thursday, he tragically said: “I’m holding her hand right now. She has a mortal wound. It’s not going to be a recovery.”
Beckstrom and Wolfe were on a high-visibility patrol near the cornet of 17th and I streets in the capital, with the pair being part of the group who were deployed in August.
It was reported that the suspect was shot four times before being apprehended, as he was taken to hospital.
Lakanwal is now facing at least three counts of assault with intent to kill and criminal possession of a weapon, which can result in up to 15 years behind bars, though Bondi said on X that they will seek the death penalty against him.
“Devastated. Please pray for Sarah. Pray for her family,” she wrote on the social media site.
Bondi added: “America will never forget her courage. There WILL BE JUSTICE for Sarah. Continue to pray for Andrew. Thank you to President Trump - the death penalty is back.”
Joshua Nair