Sarah Beckstrom Identified as West Virginia National Guard Member Critically Injured in D.C. Shooting by Afghan National

Washington, D.C. — Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old member of the West Virginia National Guard, has been identified as one of the two guardsmen critically injured in Wednesday’s shooting near the Farragut West Metro Station, an attack authorities are investigating as a possible act of terrorism.

According to officials, Beckstrom had volunteered to work the holiday shift so other guardsmen could spend Thanksgiving with their families.

“She volunteered to be there on Thanksgiving… so other people could be home with their families,” U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi told Fox News on Thursday. “Now their families are in hospital rooms with them while they fight for their lives.”

Beckstrom and the second victim, 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, had both been sworn in less than 24 hours before they were shot, U.S. Attorney General for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said during a Thursday briefing. Both underwent emergency surgery and remain in critical condition.

The Attack

Authorities say the guardsmen were ambushed by Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, an Afghan national who allegedly opened fire near the White House corridor. Investigators believe Lakanwal lay in wait before shooting Beckstrom and Wolfe. Other guard members returned fire, striking the suspect.

gunman Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, came to the US during the chaotic 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, authorities said.

 

His motive remains unclear, but the incident is being probed as a targeted terrorist attack.

Shooter’s Background

A relative told NBC News that Lakanwal previously served in the Afghan Army in Kandahar, where he supported U.S. Special Forces. He was later granted a short-term visa under a program established to assist vulnerable Afghan allies during the U.S. withdrawal.

Lakanwal immigrated to the United States in 2021 and applied for asylum in December 2024. His asylum was approved on April 23 of this year. According to a former Trump administration official speaking to Reuters, Lakanwal had no known criminal history in the United States.

The investigation remains ongoing as federal and local authorities continue to gather evidence and evaluate whether the shooting was motivated by terrorism or a personal grievance.

🚨BREAKING: Both of the National Guard soldiers who were shot in DC have made it through surgery, and are with their families. PRAY!

🚨 The two have been IDENTIFIED as Sarah Beckstrom (20) and Andrew Wolfe (24), of West Virginia.

"They both came through surgery. I'm not going… pic.twitter.com/RejPRuk4b9

— David Medina 🦫🇺🇸 (@davidmedinapdx) November 27, 2025