Friends remember slain Sarah Beckstrom’s kindness and ambitions: 'Dreamed of joining the FBI'

WASHINGTON,DC: Friends, family, and fellow service members are remembering 20-year-old National Guard soldier Sarah Beckstrom as compassionate, selfless, and ambitious. Her loved ones say she dreamed of joining the FBI and spent her life helping others. 

Beckstrom, from Summersville, West Virginia National Guard, was fatally shot in a targeted ambush near the White House on November 26, 2025. She died the following day from her injuries. Another soldier, Andrew Wolfe, 24, was also shot and remains in critical condition.

Friends and loved ones remember Sarah Beckstrom’s kindness and generosity

Her former boyfriend, Adam Carr, described Beckstrom as “bighearted, driven, and deeply committed to helping others.” He said, “She doesn’t even have to know you, and she’ll do anything for you. She was one of the most forgiving people.”

Friends recalled her dedication to helping people, both in her civilian work at a community behavioral health center and during her National Guard service. She had assisted those struggling with mental illness and substance abuse — a reflection of her caring nature.

“Sarah had a heart of gold,” said a close friend. “She always put others first and wanted to make a difference in the world.”

Sarah Beckstrom’s journey from West Virginia to Washington, DC deployment

Beckstrom enlisted in the West Virginia National Guard in June 2023 and was assigned to the 863rd Military Police Company. In August 2025, she was deployed to Washington, DC, as part of the “DC Safe and Beautiful Mission.”

Though she initially missed home and city life felt unfamiliar, she adapted quickly, forming friendships within the Guard and exploring the city in her downtime. Loved ones say she embraced the experience while keeping her sights on a future career in the FBI.

Ambush near Farragut West Metro leaves Sarah Beckstrom dead and Andrew Wolfe injured

On November 26, Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe were ambushed near the Farragut West Metro Station. She succumbed to her injuries on Thanksgiving Day, with her parents by her side. The alleged shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, has been charged with first-degree murder. 

Tributes poured in from family, friends, and colleagues. Social media posts described her as selfless, generous, and full of promise. “Sarah Beckstrom showed all of us what it means to care for others,” said one friend. “Her kindness and ambition will not be forgotten.”

During a Thanksgiving call with US troops, President Trump described her as a “highly respected, young, magnificent person” and said she was “looking down at us right now.”

Remembering Sarah Beckstrom’s life of service, compassion, and hope

For those who knew her, Beckstrom’s story is a reminder of a young life devoted to service, compassion, and dreams bigger than herself. Her friends say her legacy is one of helping others and inspiring those around her — a life that touched countless people despite its tragic ending.