Specialist Sarah Beckstrom dies defending the nation's Capitol

November 27, 205 – WASHINGTON, D.C. - Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old member of the West Virginia National Guard, died from her wounds after in a targeted shooting on patrol near the White House on November 27, 2025. She was on patrol as part of a federal deployment to Washington, D.C., when she and a fellow Guardsman were ambushed in what the FBI is investigation as a terrorist attack.

President Donald J. Trump (R) announced Beckstrom's death in a Thanksgiving call to U.S. service members.

"She's just passed away," President Trump said. "She's no longer with us. She's looking down at us right now."

Trump described Beckstron as a "Highly respected, young, magnificent person... started service in June of 2023, outstanding in every way" and said she was "looking down at us right now."

U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama) said on X in response, "Heartbreaking news. Praying for Specialist Sarah Beckstrom's family and friends who have suffered a tremendous loss. May she rest in peace-a hero who put her life on the line to protect and serve our nation."

Specialist Sarah Beckstrom was just 20 years old. Her hometown was Summersville, West Virginia. She enlisted in June 2023 with the West Virginia National Guard and was serving in the 863rd Military Police Company, 111th Engineer Brigade. She volunteered for "Operation D.C. Safe and Beautiful," a National Guard deployment ordered by President Donald J. Trump (R) to address crime in the nation's capital.

The attack occurred on November 26, 2025 (Thanksgiving Eve) near the Farragut West Metro Station, just two blocks from the White House.

Beckstrom and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, age 24, were shot in what authorities described as a "targeted ambush" while on a high-visibility patrol. Wolfe remains in critical condition.

Their assailant was Afghan immigrant Rahmanullah Lakanwal, age 29. Lakanwai entered the U.S. in 2021 under a humanitarian parole program following the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Lakanawal was shot by another Guardsman during the attack and remains hospitalized in serious condition.

"The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen, with both being critically wounded, and now in two separate hospitals, is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price," said President Trump on Truth Social – before Beckstrom's death. "God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement. These are truly Great People. I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!"

An angry Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) said on X, "The Afghan terrorist who shot 2 National Guard heroes in D.C. was welcomed into this country with open arms by Joe Biden. We must IMMEDIATELY BAN all ISLAM immigrants and DEPORT every single Islamist who is living among us just waiting to attack."

Trump has ordered 500 additional National Guard troops to D.C.

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