Two National Guard members from West Virginia are currently in critical condition after being shot in downtown Washington, D.C., near the White House on Wednesday. This tragic incident has left their families shattered as they face an uncertain future. U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, expressed the heartbreak felt by many, stating, "Unfortunately today, as most families join together to give thanks for the blessings that have been bestowed upon them, two families are shattered and destroyed and torn apart as a result of the actions of one man."
The victims of this senseless act of violence have been identified as 20-year-old Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and 24-year-old U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe. Both service members were part of the West Virginia National Guard, with Wolfe having enlisted in February 2019, earning numerous service medals during his tenure. Beckstrom had just joined the military police company of the West Virginia National Guard in June 2023.
According to a statement from the West Virginia National Guard, both Guardsmen became part of the D.C. task force at the beginning of their mission in early August. During a press conference on Thursday, Pirro noted that the two were sworn in less than 24 hours before the shooting, emphasizing the rapid deployment of these brave individuals.
Brigadier Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, commander of the D.C. National Guard, spoke emotionally during the press conference about the challenges the victims' families will face during this Thanksgiving season, highlighting how their lives have been irrevocably changed due to this horrific act of violence. The two Guardsmen were armed at the time of the shooting, as confirmed by Jeffrey Carroll, the executive assistant chief for the Metropolitan Police Department.
The National Guard's presence in the nation’s capital was part of President Trump's federal takeover of the city in August, with a current deployment of 2,188 Guard personnel assigned to D.C. Following the shooting, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that President Trump requested an additional 500 National Guardsmen to be sent to the area for increased security.
The alleged shooter has been identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who reportedly traveled across the country from Washington state specifically to target the Guardsmen. Lakanwal has been charged with three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, as well as criminal possession of a weapon. Depending on the victims' conditions, he may also face charges of first-degree murder, as stated by Pirro.
This tragic event serves as a reminder of the risks faced by military personnel, even while they are serving to protect the peace in our nation's capital. As investigations continue, the community rallies in support of the victims and their families during this difficult time.