In a shocking incident near the White House, two West Virginia National Guard members, US Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and US Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, were critically injured in an “ambush style” shooting on the eve of Thanksgiving, November 26, 2025. This brazen act of violence has sent shockwaves across the nation, triggering widespread condemnation and sparking renewed debates over security, military deployments, and immigration policies. Both young service members remain in critical condition after emergency surgery, with one fighting for her life against a “mortal wound.”
A Brazen Attack Near the Nation’s Capital
The attack unfolded just blocks from the White House, near 17th and H Streets NW, around the entrance to the Farragut West Metro Station. Law enforcement agencies, including the Secret Service and the Washington Metropolitan Police Department, swiftly responded to the gunfire. Surveillance video reviewed by authorities shows the assailant “came around the corner” and “immediately started firing a firearm” at the unsuspecting troops. This unprovoked assault was later confirmed by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser as a “targeted shooting,” further raising concerns about the safety of service personnel deployed to the capital.
The incident saw one National Guard member exchange fire with the suspect. Another Guardsman sustained a pocketknife wound during the chaotic moments, and several troops ultimately subdued the attacker until police arrived. The rapid response from both law enforcement and fellow Guard members was crucial in containing the threat and apprehending the individual responsible.
The Victims: SPC Sarah Beckstrom and SSgt Andrew Wolfe
The two West Virginia National Guard members wounded in the attack are Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24. They were among approximately 2,200 National Guard troops from multiple states deployed to Washington, D.C., in August 2025 as part of President Donald Trump’s initiative to bolster federal law enforcement presence.
Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, from Summersville, West Virginia, began her service on June 26, 2023. She is assigned to the 863rd Military Police Company, 111th Engineer Brigade, West Virginia Army National Guard. In a testament to her selflessness, Beckstrom had volunteered for holiday duty in D.C., hoping to allow other guardsmen and women to spend Thanksgiving with their families. Attorney General Pam Bondi poignantly highlighted this sacrifice, noting that instead, Beckstrom’s own family now waits by her hospital bedside. Her former school, Webster County High School, praised her “strength, character, and commitment.” Tragically, her father, Gary Beckstrom, conveyed a grim outlook from her hospital room on Thanksgiving, stating to The New York Times, “She has a mortal wound. It’s not going to be a recovery.”
Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, from Martinsburg, West Virginia, has been a member of the West Virginia National Guard since February 5, 2019. He is assigned to the Force Support Squadron, 167th Airlift Wing. Friends and neighbors describe Wolfe as a kind, generous individual. His next-door neighbor, Michael Langone, characterized him as a “great guy, great neighbor” who would “give the shirt off his back to anyone.” Wolfe’s father, Jason Wolfe, pleaded for prayers, describing his son as “a great person” and “a fighter.” News of the shooting deeply impacted his hometown, where he was widely liked and known as a “sweet kid” and “hard worker” often seen in his uniform.
The Suspect and the Federal Investigation
The man accused of this heinous crime is Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, from Bellingham, Washington. Authorities state Lakanwal used a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver to carry out the “ambush-style” attack. He reportedly drove across the country to commit the act. Lakanwal was apprehended at the scene and sustained non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.
His background reveals he entered the United States in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, a program facilitating the resettlement of Afghans who aided U.S. forces. He reportedly applied for asylum during the Biden administration and received it under the Trump administration in 2025. Multiple officials indicated Lakanwal had previously served in CIA-supported Afghan paramilitary teams, known as Zero Units. CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed Lakanwal worked with U.S. forces in Kandahar, though that relationship ended after the chaotic 2021 evacuation. Lakanwal had been living in Bellingham with his wife and five children.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced Lakanwal faces charges including assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. She noted that these charges could be upgraded to first-degree murder, depending on the victims’ conditions, with Attorney General Pam Bondi vowing to seek the death penalty. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the attack is being investigated as an “act of terrorism,” leading to a “coast-to-coast investigation” with search warrants executed in multiple locations.
Vetting Debates and Policy Aftershocks
The shooting immediately ignited a political firestorm. President Donald Trump, condemning the attack as an “act of terror” and “evil,” swiftly ordered an additional 500 National Guard members to D.C., augmenting the existing 2,188 troops. More significantly, Trump called for a re-examination of “every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan under Biden,” advocating for the removal of any deemed not to “belong here, or add benefit to our country.”
Following Trump’s directive, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced an immediate and indefinite halt to processing all immigration requests related to Afghan nationals, citing a review of “security and vetting protocols.” Vice President JD Vance echoed Trump’s criticisms, asserting that “unvetted Afghan refugees shouldn’t have been in our country” and demanding deportations for those without legal standing.
This incident has reignited long-standing debates surrounding Operation Allies Welcome and the vetting of Afghan evacuees. Critics frequently cite potential security gaps, while advocates emphasize the humanitarian imperative and the multi-phase vetting process already in place, which identified and cleared many watchlist matches.
The Broader Context: National Guard’s DC Deployment
The presence of the National Guard in Washington, D.C., has been a contentious issue for months. Troops were initially deployed in August as part of President Trump’s “crime-fighting initiative,” federalizing local police and bringing in Guard members from several states. This deployment, intended to address perceived “out-of-control crime,” sparked a court battle. Just a week before the shooting, a federal judge had ordered an end to the deployment, although her ruling was paused for 21 days to allow for appeal.
Despite the controversy, National Guard members have undertaken a variety of duties during their deployment, including patrolling neighborhoods and train stations, manning highway checkpoints, and assisting with city services like trash pickup and security at sports events. Many, like Specialist Beckstrom, volunteered to extend their deployment over the holidays, demonstrating their commitment to service.
Widespread Condemnation and Calls for Justice
The tragic shooting prompted strong reactions from officials across the political spectrum. President Trump expressed unwavering support for the National Guard and law enforcement. Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser characterized the incident as an attack on the nation itself, vowing full prosecution. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey condemned the “unspeakable violence” and pledged to ensure justice.
Vice President JD Vance urged prayers for the Guardsmen, recognizing soldiers as the “sword and the shield of the United States.” Former President Barack Obama stated that “violence has no place in America,” offering prayers to the service members and their families. Many officials highlighted the voluntary service of Guard members and the heartbreaking toll the attack has taken on their loved ones and communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the immediate consequences of the National Guard shooting in DC?
The immediate consequences were severe, with two West Virginia National Guard members, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, critically injured in an “ambush-style” shooting near the White House on November 26, 2025. A third Guard member sustained a minor injury, and a suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was apprehended. The incident triggered a federal investigation into terrorism, upgraded security measures with an additional 500 National Guard troops deployed, and an immediate halt to processing Afghan national immigration requests by USCIS.
Who is Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the suspect in the DC National Guard shooting?
Rahmanullah Lakanwal is a 29-year-old Afghan national from Bellingham, Washington, accused of critically injuring two National Guard members in the Washington, D.C., shooting. He entered the U.S. in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome and was granted asylum in 2025. Reports indicate Lakanwal had a past association with CIA-supported Afghan paramilitary teams. He faces charges of assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, with the FBI investigating the attack as an act of terrorism.
How has the DC National Guard shooting impacted policies regarding Afghan refugees?
The DC National Guard shooting has had a significant and immediate impact on policies regarding Afghan refugees. Following the incident, President Trump called for a re-examination of all Afghan refugees admitted under the Biden administration and advocated for the removal of any deemed not to “belong” in the U.S. In response, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced an immediate and indefinite halt to processing all immigration requests related to Afghan nationals, pending a review of “security and vetting protocols.”
Conclusion
The ambush shooting of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe near the White House is a profound tragedy, highlighting the risks faced by service members deployed to protect the nation’s capital. While the service members and their families endure unimaginable hardship, the incident has ignited urgent conversations about security, the contentious role of the National Guard in domestic affairs, and the complex issues surrounding refugee vetting. As federal investigations continue and policy debates intensify, the nation remains united in prayer and support for these brave individuals and their loved ones, demanding justice for this senseless act of violence.
