A devastating attack in Washington D.C. has left one West Virginia National Guard member dead and another critically injured, igniting a fervent national debate over immigration policy and domestic security. Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, just 20 years old, succumbed to her injuries after being ambushed near the White House, while Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, fights for his life. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national with a complex history of working with U.S. forces, has been apprehended, and the incident is being investigated as an act of terrorism. This tragic event, unfolding just blocks from the nation’s capital, has prompted an immediate, robust political response from President Donald Trump, including calls for a drastic overhaul of immigration protocols and an increased military presence in U.S. cities.
The Deadly Ambush in Downtown D.C.
On Wednesday afternoon, November 26, 2025, an act of brazen violence shattered the tranquility near Farragut Square, a bustling area just two blocks northwest of the White House. Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe were on a high-visibility foot patrol when they were suddenly targeted in an ambush-style attack. Eyewitness Michael Ryan, a D.C. resident, reported hearing gunshots on I Street before seeing a National Guardsman receiving resuscitation. Authorities swiftly cordoned off the area as emergency personnel rushed to the scene.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro later described the attack, stating the suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, fired a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver without provocation. One Guardsman was struck and fell, after which the assailant leaned over to strike again. The second Guardsman was then shot multiple times. Other National Guard members present responded immediately; one reportedly stabbed the assailant, while another returned fire, injuring Lakanwal before he was taken into custody. This rapid response likely prevented further casualties.
Remembering Specialist Sarah Beckstrom
Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old from West Virginia, tragically passed away on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025. President Trump announced her death during a Thanksgiving call with U.S. troops, expressing profound condolences and later speaking with her parents. He lauded Beckstrom as an “incredible person, outstanding in every single way.” She had enlisted on June 26, 2023, and was assigned to the 863rd Military Police Company. Beckstrom had volunteered for duty in Washington D.C. over the Thanksgiving holiday.
Her father, Gary Beckstrom, confirmed her passing on social media, sharing the heartbreaking news. Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, also from West Virginia, remains in critical condition, actively “fighting for his life” following multiple surgeries. Both Guardsmen had been deployed to the capital as part of the Trump administration’s initiative to address what it termed “rampant crime” in several U.S. cities. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey visited the wounded Guardsman and affirmed the need for a comprehensive investigation.
The Suspect: Rahmanullah Lakanwal’s Complex Past
The man charged with the shooting is Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, an Afghan national. His background has quickly become a central, controversial element of the unfolding narrative. Lakanwal reportedly served in a special CIA-backed Afghan Army unit, known as “Zero Units” or “Scorpion Forces” (Unit 03 of the Kandahar Strike Force), where he was a team leader and GPS specialist in Kandahar. This unit worked directly with U.S. and British troops, providing crucial security during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Kabul in 2021. CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed Lakanwal’s prior relationship with the U.S. government, noting it “ended shortly following the chaotic evacuation” from Afghanistan.
Lakanwal entered the U.S. in September 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, a Biden administration program evacuating tens of thousands of Afghans who had assisted U.S. forces. He applied for asylum in 2024, and his application was approved in April 2025 under the Trump administration, making him an asylee. At the time of the shooting, he resided in Bellingham, Washington, with his wife and five children. A relative indicated Lakanwal was injured during his service in Afghanistan and expressed disbelief at his alleged actions, while a former military colleague noted he was deeply troubled by the death of a close friend.
President Trump’s Stance: Terror Attack & Policy Overhaul
President Trump wasted no time in labeling the shooting a “terrorist attack” and a “premeditated murder.” He called Lakanwal a “savage monster” and attributed the incident to what he described as the Biden administration’s “lax migration policies” that enabled Afghans to enter the U.S. The President used the announcement to declare a series of immediate and drastic immigration policy changes.
These measures include an indefinite pause on processing all immigration requests for Afghan nationals. Additionally, Trump ordered a rigorous re-examination of all Afghan refugees admitted under the Biden administration and a review of green cards issued to individuals from “countries of concern,” including Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Iran, Somalia, and Venezuela. He further vowed to “permanently pause migration” from all “third-world countries,” signaling a broad tightening of immigration. Trump also swiftly ordered an additional 500 National Guard members to Washington D.C., intensifying the troop presence.
Escalating Security & Political Flashpoints
The shooting instantly became a major political flashpoint, reigniting debates over immigration, national security, and the controversial use of military forces for domestic law enforcement. The FBI is leading the investigation, treating the attack as an act of terrorism, a sentiment echoed by President Trump. Lakanwal faces initial charges of assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, with prosecutors indicating these charges would be upgraded to first-degree murder following Beckstrom’s death. The suspect’s motive remains officially unclear as the “coast-to-coast investigation” continues.
The presence of thousands of National Guard troops in D.C., initially deployed in August 2025 under a Trump administration order to combat crime, has been a source of contention. While U.S. Attorney Pirro defended the deployment, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat who has long opposed the federalized force, expressed sorrow, stating “these young people should be at home in West Virginia with their families.” However, she condemned the attack as “a direct assault on America itself,” vowing full prosecution of the perpetrator.
The Vetting Debate: A Deeper Look
The incident has intensified scrutiny over the vetting processes for Afghan refugees, particularly Operation Allies Welcome. Critics, including President Trump, allege gaps in the vetting process. However, #AfghanEvac, a group assisting Afghan resettlement, maintains that extensive vetting was conducted for the approximately 76,000 people brought to the U.S. through the program. The fact that Lakanwal’s asylum was ultimately granted during the Trump administration, despite his arrival under Biden, adds another layer of complexity to the debate, challenging singular political blame.
Former CIA Director John Ratcliffe criticized the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, suggesting that Lakanwal and “so many others” should not have been allowed into the country. The tragic event underscores a critical tension: the U.S. commitment to those who aided its forces abroad versus national security concerns and the efficacy of vetting processes for wartime allies. This nuanced reality fuels the ongoing political discourse, where personal tragedy becomes entangled with complex policy questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the immediate consequences of the DC National Guard shooting?
The immediate consequences were devastating. Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, tragically died from her injuries, while Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in critical condition. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, was apprehended after being shot by a National Guard member. Politically, the incident triggered a strong reaction from President Trump, who ordered an additional 500 National Guard members to Washington D.C. and initiated sweeping changes to immigration policy, including a halt on Afghan immigration requests and a review of green cards for individuals from “countries of concern.”
What is known about the suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, and his background?
Rahmanullah Lakanwal is a 29-year-old Afghan national who worked with a CIA-backed Afghan Army unit (“Zero Units” or “Scorpion Forces”) as a team leader and GPS specialist in Kandahar. His relationship with the U.S. government ended following the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. He entered the U.S. in September 2021 via the Biden administration’s Operation Allies Welcome program, applying for asylum in 2024, which was granted in April 2025 under the Trump administration. He has a wife and five children and was living in Bellingham, Washington. The FBI is investigating the attack as an act of terrorism, but his specific motive remains unclear.
How has the incident impacted US immigration policy and National Guard deployments?
The shooting profoundly impacted both areas. President Trump declared an indefinite pause on all immigration application processing for Afghan nationals. He also ordered a rigorous re-examination of all Afghan migrants admitted under the Biden administration and a review of green cards for individuals from specific “countries of concern.” On the security front, Trump ordered an additional 500 National Guard members to D.C., escalating the existing deployment. The incident has intensified the broader public policy debate on the vetting processes for Afghan refugees and the controversial use of military forces for domestic law enforcement, making these topics central to ongoing political discussions.
A Nation Grapples with Tragedy and Policy
The tragic shooting of National Guard members near the White House on Thanksgiving week 2025 has cast a long shadow over the nation. The death of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and the critical injury of Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe are a stark reminder of the sacrifices made by those who serve, even on American soil. This ambush has not only exacted a profound human cost but has also ignited a fierce political firestorm. President Trump’s forceful response, immediately linking the attack to immigration policies and deeming it an act of terror, ensures that the incident will have lasting repercussions on national security, immigration protocols, and the discourse surrounding the legacy of the Afghanistan War. As investigations continue and legal proceedings unfold, the nation is left to grapple with the complexities of preventing future violence while upholding both security and humanitarian commitments.
