President Donald Trump delivered heartbreaking news Thursday, announcing that one of the two National Guardsmen brutally attacked in Washington, D.C., had died from her wounds. “I must unfortunately tell you that just seconds before I went on, right now I heard that Sarah Beckstrom of West Virginia, one of the guardsmen that we’re talking about, highly respected, young, magnificent person, started service in June of 2023, outstanding in every way, she’s just passed away. She’s no longer with us,” he said. The attack occurred near the White House, which immediately went into lockdown following the shooting.
Authorities identified the suspect as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who was apprehended shortly after the assault. According to U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeannine Pirro, the victims—Beckstrom and 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe—were uniformed members of the West Virginia National Guard. Both had been deployed under President Trump’s executive order to strengthen security in the nation’s capital and had been sworn in less than a day before the attack. Pirro explained that Lakanwal entered the United States in September 2021 under the Biden administration’s Operation Allies Welcome program after the withdrawal from Afghanistan. She noted that he used a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver and described the shooting as deliberately targeted, adding that Lakanwal traveled across the entire country from Bellingham, Washington, specifically to reach Washington, D.C.
In a somber address to the nation, Trump said, “This heinous assault was an act of evil and act of hatred and an act of terror. It was a crime against our entire nation. It was a crime against humanity. Americans tonight are with those two West Virginian National Guard and their families.” His remarks underscored the growing concern among many Americans that the nation’s security vulnerabilities stem not from a lack of dedicated service members, but from policies that have welcomed individuals into the country without adequate vetting or accountability—policies that have repeatedly produced serious public safety risks.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi later confirmed that prosecutors will seek the death penalty, an indication of how grave and intentional the attack is believed to be. The announcement reflects a broader call for restoring firm consequences for violent offenders and preventing ideologically driven violence before it reaches American streets.
Trump’s closing words captured both the sorrow and the resolve of the moment: “She’s looking down at us right now. Her parents are with her. This just happened. She was savagely attacked. She’s dead, she’s not with us. Incredible person, outstanding in every single way, in every department. It’s horrible.” As the nation absorbs the weight of this tragedy, the attack has reignited urgent debates about national security, immigration oversight, and the duty of government to protect those who serve. It is a stark reminder that real threats come not from law-abiding citizens or overregulated communities—but from the consequences of policies that put ideology ahead of common-sense security.
