Trump confirms death of 20-year-old National Guardswoman Sarah Beckstrom shot in DC attack

WASHINGTON, DC: West Virginia National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom, wounded in an ambush allegedly carried out by Afghan refugee Rahmanullah Lakanwal, succumbed to her injuries on Thursday, November 27. 

President Donald Trump revealed the 20-year-old's death during a Thanksgiving evening call with several US military units, turning what is typically a celebratory tradition into a moment of remembrance.

Trump hails Sarah Beckstrom as 'outstanding in every single way'

Donald Trump delivered a somber message during his call with service members. “She’s just passed away. She’s no longer with us. She’s looking down at us right now. Incredible person, outstanding in every single way,” he said. The POTUS added that her death was “just horrible.”

This news followed reports that Beckstrom had been in critical condition after being shot in the chest and head while standing guard in Washington, DC. Medical teams rushed her into emergency surgery after the attack, but her chances of survival remained low.

On Thanksgiving Day, Beckstrom's father told The New York Times that he believed she would not recover. “I’m holding her hand right now. She has a mortal wound. It’s not going to be a recovery,” Gary Beckstrom said.

The West Virginia National Guard shared on X (formerly Twitter), "We are devastated to confirm the death of our own, Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, who was shot in the line of duty near the Farragut Square Metro Station Wednesday. Spc. Beckstrom was pronounced dead at MedStar Washington Hospital on Nov. 27, by wounds incurred during the shooting."

National Guardsman Andrew Wolfe, 24, was also shot in the attack. Like Beckstrom, Wolfe went into emergency surgery and remains in the hospital.

Trump said Wolfe is “fighting for his life” and added, “Hopefully, we’ll get better news with respect to him.” He also noted, "And the monster that did this is also in serious condition, but we won’t even talk about him."

Prosecutors will seek the death penalty for Sarah Beckstrom’s killer, Pam Bondi says

Earlier, US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said prosecutors plan to seek first-degree murder charges against the suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, if either of the two National Guard members he allegedly shot dies.

A third Guard member stopped the suspect by using a pocketknife, and a fourth opened fire. Officials said Lakanwal, who was taken to a hospital, already faces at least three charges, including assault with intent to kill and criminal possession of a weapon. These charges could bring up to 15 years in prison.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said prosecutors will seek the death penalty if Lakanwal is convicted. After Beckstrom’s death, Bondi posted on X, "Devastated. Please pray for Sarah. Pray for her family."

She promised, "America will never forget her courage. There will be Justice for Sarah. Continue to pray for Andrew. Thank you to President Trump — the death penalty is back."

What did authorities say about the two National Guard members who were shot?

Jeanine Pirro also said both National Guard members had been sworn in only 24 hours before the attack.

According to Bondi, Beckstrom volunteered to work the Thanksgiving shifts so others could spend the holiday at home. The AG said, “She volunteered to be there on Thanksgiving — working today — she volunteered, as did many of those guardsmen and women, so other people could be home with their families."

Authorities say Lakanwal allegedly ambushed the two Guard members just a few blocks from the White House. They believe he waited for them before opening fire with a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver. Other Guard members returned fire and injured him. Investigators are still working to determine a motive and are treating the case as a possible targeted terrorist attack.

Pirro said Lakanwal drove across the country from his home in Bellingham, Washington, where he lived with his wife and five children. She said he previously served in the Afghan Army in Kandahar, where he supported US Special Forces.