West Virginia National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom has died from wounds in DC shooting.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump says West Virginia National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom has died from wounds in DC shooting.
Beckstrom was one of two guardsmen shot on Wednesday near the White House while patrolling under orders from the Trump administration. During a press conference on Thursday, US Attorney for DC Jeanine Pirro, said both Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe were in critical condition.
At 6:30 p.m., Trump announced Beckstrom’s death during a press conference.
On Wednesday, police say, Rahmanullah Lakanwal came around the corner where the two guardsmen were patrolling the area near a metro station and opened fire around 2:15 p.m.
Lakanwal was also shot, but it is unclear who shot them. He didn’t get far before being apprehended by other guardsmen patrolling the area.
All three individuals were taken to a local hospital. Lakanwal was taken to a separate hospital from the guardsmen. The two guardsmen are listed as critical condition; officials did not give an update beyond that. Lakanwal’s current condition is unknown.
Federal agencies, including the FBI, DEA, Homeland Security, and others, are running a joint investigation into the shooting. The suspect’s motive is still unknown at this time.
“We have assembled the full force of both the federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to bring all of our resources to make sure we find the perpetrators responsible for this heinous act and make no mistake, they will be brought to justice. Since this is an assault on a federal law enforcement officer, this will be treated at the federal level.” FBI Director Kash Patel said during a press conference.
Alleged shooter worked with the CIA in Afghanistan
The shooting suspect was identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, an immigrant from Afghanistan. According to Pirro, Lakanwal had collaborated with the U.S. government during the War in Afghanistan and had moved to the United States in 2021 after America’s withdrawal.
Immigrating through the Operation Allies Welcome program, Lakanwal had been living in Bellingham, Wash., a west coast city about three miles from the U.S. – Canada border. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said the man had traveled cross-country in a car to carry out the shooting.
Pirro laid blame on former President Joe Biden and his handling of the U.S. withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan for the suspect’s entry into the United States.
“He entered the United States under Biden’s Operation Allies Welcome, a program following the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan,” Pirro said.