Trump invites families of National Guard members shot in DC attack to White House

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump said on Sunday, November 30, that he has invited the families of the two West Virginia National Guard members who were shot in Washington, DC, last week to visit the White House.

Trump also emphasised that he had spoken with the parents of 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom, who succumbed to her injuries a day after the attack. Beckstrom's fellow service member, 24-year-old Sgt Andrew Wolfe, remains in critical condition.

The president described the conversations he had with Beckstrom's family as heartbreaking and said he hopes to "honor both families when they feel ready." The shooting has sparked an outpouring of grief across West Virginia, with vigils held throughout the weekend. 

Trump plans to honor Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe

Trump told reporters that he has discussed arranging a White House visit for the parents of both Beckstrom and Wolfe, underscoring the emotional devastation the families are facing. Trump said, "When you're ready, because that's a tough thing, come to the White House. We're going to honor Sarah and likewise with Andrew, recover or not."

Beckstrom, who grew up in Summersville and graduated from Webster County High School in 2023, had enlisted soon after finishing school and was serving as a military police officer. Vigils held over the weekend drew classmates, teachers, and community members who remembered her as compassionate and steady. 

"Sarah was the kind of student that teachers hoped for. She carried herself with quiet strength, a contagious smile and a positive energy that lifted people around her," Jarrod Hankins, her former principal, told the Associated Press. "She was sweet, caring and always willing to help others." Funeral arrangements for Beckstrom are still being finalised. 

Authorities have since identified a 29-year-old Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, as the suspected shooter. He faces a first-degree murder charge and two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed. 

In the wake of the attack, the Trump administration temporarily halted asylum processing and stopped issuing visas to individuals with Afghan passports. 

Andrew Wolfe is 'fighting for his life'

Wolfe, a Martinsburg native and 2019 graduate of Musselman High School, began his service in February 2019 and was deployed alongside Beckstrom as part of Trump's federal initiative to bolster policing efforts in Washington, DC. He remains hospitalized in critical condition.

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey said on Fox News Channel's 'The Sunday Briefing' that Wolfe is "fighting for his life," adding that support has been pouring in from across the state. 

Attorney General Pam Bondi also said that she plans to meet with Wolfe's family in the coming days. 

At the weekend Vigil, Morrisey emphasized the impact Beckstrom had already made during her service. "She had a lot of kindness and she certainly had courage," he said. "Through her life lasted far too short, she has left a mark that's going to last forever."