In a significant development, the charges against Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the man accused of shooting two National Guard members, have been elevated to first-degree murder. This announcement was made by the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia on Friday, following the tragic death of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, who succumbed to her injuries after the shooting incident that occurred near the White House.
On Wednesday afternoon, both Beckstrom and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, were critically injured in the shooting. President Donald Trump confirmed Beckstrom's death Thursday evening. The charges against Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national with ties to the CIA during the Afghanistan War, now include one count of first-degree murder and two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed.
In response to the shooting, the Trump administration has paused all asylum decisions and halted the issuance of visas for individuals traveling on Afghan passports. Beckstrom and Wolfe were part of the West Virginia National Guard deployed under Trump's crime-fighting mission, which aimed to federalize the D.C. police force. The President has also attempted to deploy National Guard members to assist with mass deportation efforts but has faced legal challenges.
President Trump characterized the shooting as a “terrorist attack,” criticizing the Biden administration for allowing Afghans who collaborated with U.S. forces during the Afghanistan War to enter the United States. Trump has expressed intentions to permanently pause migration from developing countries and to expel millions of immigrants from the U.S.
Joseph Edlow, the director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, stated on the social media platform X that asylum decisions would be paused “until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible.” However, experts argue that the U.S. already has rigorous vetting processes for asylum-seekers, and claims made from within the country have faced significant backlogs, a situation critics say has worsened during the Trump administration.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro mentioned during an interview on Fox News that there are “many charges to come” beyond the upgraded murder charge. She expressed her condolences to Beckstrom's family, noting that the young soldier was tragically shot in an ambush-style attack. Investigators are actively pursuing leads and executing warrants in Washington and other areas to uncover Lakanwal's motive.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited National Guard troops in Washington D.C. on Friday, leading a prayer for Beckstrom and Wolfe. He described Beckstrom as a “beautiful human being” dedicated to serving her country. Wolfe remains in “very critical condition,” prompting West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey to order state flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Beckstrom.
Lakanwal, who entered the U.S. in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, has been residing in Bellingham, Washington, with his wife and five children. Former neighbors described him as polite and quiet, with struggles to find work after briefly working as an independent contractor for Amazon Flex. His asylum application was approved during the Trump administration, despite being initiated under Biden's policies.
In a recent address, Trump called for the reinvestigation of Afghan refugees who entered the U.S. under a Biden administration initiative that resettled approximately 76,000 people, many of whom had previously worked as interpreters or translators for U.S. forces. This program has faced intense scrutiny over alleged gaps in the vetting process, although advocates maintain that extensive vetting procedures were in place.
Specialist Beckstrom enlisted in 2023, shortly after graduating from high school, and served with distinction as a military police officer in the 863rd Military Police Company. The West Virginia National Guard praised her as a leader who exemplified dedication and professionalism, stating that she volunteered for Operation D.C. Safe and Beautiful to help secure the nation's capital. President Trump has referred to her as an “incredible person” with outstanding qualities.
This tragic incident underscores the ongoing complexities surrounding national security, immigration policies, and the sacrifices made by those in the armed forces.