Crime
West Virginia National Guard Member Sarah Beckstrom Dies After Being Shot by Afghan National Rahmanullah Lakanwal in Washington
A West Virginia National Guard member has died following a shooting near the White House on Wednesday.
Officials have identified the victim as 20-year-old Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, who sustained critical injuries during what authorities are describing as an ambush-style attack in downtown Washington, D.C.
Former President Donald Trump publicly confirmed her death, stating he was notified moments before addressing the public.
โI was informed that Sarah Beckstrom of West Virginia, one of the guardsmen involved in this horrific attack โ a highly respected and remarkable young woman who began her service in June of 2023 โ has passed away. She is no longer with us, but she is looking down on us now,โ Trump said.
The second victim, identified as 24-year-old Specialist Andrew Wolfe, remains in critical condition and is reported to be โfighting for his life.โ
Both soldiers had been sworn into active duty less than 24 hours before the shooting occurred. Beckstrom was from Webster Springs, and Wolfe is from Martinsburg, West Virginia.
Multiple federal law enforcement agencies have confirmed that the alleged shooter is 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the United States on September 8, 2021, under the Biden administrationโs Operation Allies Welcome, which assisted Afghan allies following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
He later resettled in Bellingham, Washington, with his wife and five children.
Investigators state that Lakanwal previously served in the Afghan Special Forces and fought alongside U.S. forces against the Taliban.
He reportedly applied for asylum in 2024, and the application was approved earlier this year. However, officials now report that his legal permission to remain in the United States expired in September 2025, leaving him in the country without lawful status at the time of the incident.
Several sources have indicated that Lakanwal may have shouted a phrase in a foreign language during the attack.
Federal agencies have not yet confirmed whether this was motivated by terrorism, though the FBI has opened a counterterrorism investigation.
The shooting occurred near the Farragut Metro Station, only blocks from the White House. Approximately 10โ15 rounds were fired.
Officials describe the attack as intentional and targeted. The incident escalated into a gunfight, and the suspect was shot multiple times before being taken into custody.
Lakanwal is hospitalized and has reportedly refused to cooperate with investigators.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey issued a statement expressing deep sorrow, noting earlier confusion over the victimsโ conditions due to conflicting emergency reports.
โDenise and I are devastated by this tragedy. Our prayers remain with these brave service members, their families, and the entire Guard community,โ Morrisey said.
D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb also condemned the attack, adding:
โViolence is never the answer and must be condemnedโswiftly and without hesitation. These guardsmen volunteered to serve their nation. This is a heartbreaking day for our city and our country.โ
Federal agencies, including the FBI, DHS, and military intelligence, are continuing to investigate the motive, background, and movements of the suspect.
A search warrant was executed at his Washington State residence the same night.
Officials are reviewing whether the attack meets the legal standard for an act of terrorism.
Further updates will be released as additional verified information becomes available.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. โ Multiple people were injured after a U-Haul truck drove into a crowd during an Iranian protest on Veterans Avenue in Los Angeles on Sunday, according to police and eyewitness accounts.
The incident occurred near the federal building at 1338 Veteran Avenue, where demonstrators had gathered for a proโPahlavi, anti-regime rally.
Video circulating on social media shows a U-Haul truck bearing political slogans related to Iranโs monarchy entering the area of the protest and moving directly through a group of demonstrators.
Witnesses reported that as the truck approached the crowd, several protesters attempted to block its path, striking the vehicle and trying to pull the driver out.
In some footage, individuals can be seen attempting to remove or cover slogans displayed on the truck. Despite these efforts, the driver continued inching forward and ultimately drove into people in the crowd.
Authorities stated that multiple individuals were injured in the incident.
While no fatalities have been confirmed, witnesses described the situation as chaotic and potentially deadly.
Emergency medical personnel responded to the scene and treated victims, while law enforcement worked to secure the area.
Police said individuals on the ground attempted to confront the person inside the U-Haul prior to the vehicle moving through the crowd.
Officers subsequently established a perimeter and began moving demonstrators away from the emergency response zone to allow first responders to operate safely.
The Los Angeles Police Department has not yet released the identity of the driver or confirmed whether the incident is being investigated as an intentional act or a traffic-related offense.
Officials indicated that the investigation is ongoing and that further details will be provided as they become available.