On Wednesday, two National Guard members were shot and wounded near Farragut Square in Washington D.C., just blocks from the White House. President Donald Trump reported that one of the soldiers, identified as Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died on Thursday, while the second, Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in critical condition. The suspected shooter, an Afghan national named Rahmanullah Lakanwal, has been apprehended.
The incident occurred shortly after 2 PM EST, when both guards were engaged in a high-visibility patrol. Officials indicated that the soldiers were ambushed as the suspect “immediately started firing” upon approaching them. In light of this attack, President Trump announced the deployment of an additional 500 National Guard members to D.C., where nearly 2,200 troops are currently stationed.
Lakanwal, aged 29, is described by the Department of Homeland Security as a “criminal alien” from Afghanistan. It is reported that he was shot four times during his arrest and is not cooperating with law enforcement. He arrived in the U.S. in September 2021 through a program that provided special immigration protections to Afghans following the U.S. military withdrawal.
Lakanwal’s asylum application was recently approved, leading to questions about the vetting process for individuals entering the country under such programs. He is expected to face charges, including three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, which could result in a lengthy prison sentence.
The victims were in D.C. as part of their duties, with Beckstrom volunteering to serve during the Thanksgiving holiday. In a statement, Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized their commitment to public safety, noting that many service members take on such responsibilities to allow others to be with their families during the holidays.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpwk2p0d94xo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss