A tragedy occurred in downtown Washington, resulting in the death of 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom, a member of the U.S. National Guard. This was reported by President Donald Trump, citing information from the BBC.
Another victim, 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, is in critical condition, according to official sources.
The incident happened on Wednesday around 2:00 PM local time when an unknown assailant opened fire on the soldiers from close range. The police apprehended the suspect — 29-year-old Rahmanullah (Rahmatullah) Lakanwal, originally from Afghanistan. He sustained four gunshot wounds during the arrest.
Sarah Beckstrom had been serving in the National Guard since June 2023 and voluntarily went on duty on Thanksgiving Day. Along with Wolfe, she was patrolling an area near the White House. After the shooting, law enforcement quickly arrived at the scene to provide first aid to the victims.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Janine Pirro stated that Lakanwal would face charges on several counts, including attempted murder and unlawful use of a firearm. Attorney General Pam Bondi noted that the department would seek the death penalty.
According to U.S. authorities, Lakanwal arrived in the U.S. in 2021 under the Operation Allies Welcome program for Afghan nationals. He had previously worked with U.S. military forces in Afghanistan, including guarding Kabul airport during the mass evacuation. In 2024, he applied for asylum, which was approved in early 2025.
