West Virginia football game honors National Guard members shot in DC attack
Moment of silence for West Virginia National Guard members Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe in advance of Texas Tech-WVU football game. pic.twitter.com/9G2BLblAyX
— Greg Carey (@gcarey938) November 29, 2025
MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA: Following the attack against two National Guard members in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, November 26, that led to the death of one of them, a football game in West Virginia shared a moment of silence for the two victims on Saturday. This marks one of the many tributes for the guard members, both of whom hail from the state.
Crowd honors National Guard members
🚨BREAKING — National Guardsmen wounded in DC terror attack honored at the WVU football game#ForeverInOurHearts 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/c0PXXNIuhU
— Election Wizard (@ElectionWiz) November 29, 2025
Before the West Virginia Mountaineers football team took on the No 5 Texas Tech Red Raiders in Morgantown, the crowd shared a moment of silence for the two West Virginia National Guard soldiers shot in DC.
The public address announcer requested the crowd for a moment of silence, which came together to honor 24-year-old U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe from Martinsburg and 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom from Webster Springs.
During the moment of silence, both their pictures were displayed on the scoreboard.
Afghan national identified as the shooting suspect
🚨#BREAKING: Watch as new footage shows the Afghan national suspect exchanging gunfire with National Guard members during the Washington, D.C. shooting. pic.twitter.com/gah6t1Q0DK
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) November 27, 2025
The two National Guard members were shot near the White House during their deployment in DC. Beckstrom died from her injuries on Thursday, while Wolfe remains in critical condition.
The suspect was identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national.
According to an eyewitness video of the incident, Lakanwal was seen wearing dark clothing, turning a corner with a revolver in hand while Guardsmen scrambled for cover.
Another Guardsman was seen around a corner down a street and returned fire, who heard the shots about three blocks away from the White House and was able to detain Lakanwal after he had been shot.
According to federal charging documents cited by Reuters, the shooter fired off 10 to 15 rounds with a .357 revolver.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal's background
Rahmanullah Lakanwak reportedly entered the US in 2021 under "Operation Allies Welcome," the Joe Biden administration’s Afghan evacuation and resettlement program.
It was revealed that he was part of a CIA-backed Afghan paramilitary unit known for its rapid and brutal raids during the US war in Afghanistan, according to various news reports, and is said to have had long-term psychological trauma from years of combat, which friends suggest might have been a factor in the violent outburst.
According to prosecutors, he traveled across the country shortly before the attack and had no prior criminal record.
He faces charges of first-degree murder and two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed.
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that the Department of Justice intends to seek the death penalty.
