In a heartbreaking incident, the National Guard community mourns the loss of Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old member who died from injuries sustained during a shooting in Washington DC. President Donald Trump confirmed her passing during a Thanksgiving call with service members, describing her as a 'highly respected, young, magnificent person.'
The shooting occurred near Farragut Square on Wednesday afternoon, targeting both Beckstrom and fellow guard member Andrew Wolfe, 24, who is currently fighting for his life. Authorities quickly apprehended the suspect, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old originally from Afghanistan.
Beckstrom had joined the National Guard just earlier this year, volunteering for duty in the capital over the Thanksgiving holiday. A member of the 863rd Military Police Company, she was part of a larger deployment of National Guard troops aimed at addressing safety concerns in the district. Her dedication was commended by local leaders, including West Virginia's Governor Jim Justice, who expressed devastation at the news.
Lakanwal, who reportedly had a prior military relationship with U.S. forces in Afghanistan, now faces serious charges including assault with intent to kill. Officials indicated that should Beckstrom's death be ruled a homicide, the charges could escalate to murder in the first degree, with discussions of seeking the death penalty for Lakanwal.
The incident has prompted further discourse on the safety of service members and the need for vigilance during high-visibility patrols in urban areas. National Guard troops possess limited law enforcement powers but were deployed to support public safety efforts amid rising crime concerns in the capital.
