1 of 2 National Guard members wounded in ‘targeted shooting’ has died, Trump says

(WASHINGTON) — Federal officials on Thursday morning revealed more details about the attack that left two National Guard members in critical condition in an apparent “targeted shooting” near the White House.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, the top federal prosecutor for the nation’s capital, identified the two wounded members of the West Virginia National Guard as Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24.

The shooting took place around 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday near the Farragut West Metro station.

Pirro said the suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, allegedly drove cross-country from Washington state to target the guard members.

She said the suspect, an Afghan national, ambushed the guard members, opening fire with a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver.

“One guardsman is struck, goes down, and then the shooter leans over and strikes the guardsman again. Another guardsman is struck several times,” she said.

Other National GuaU.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, one of two West Virginia National Guard members wounded in a “targeted shooting” near the White House on Wednesday, has died, President Donald Trump said Thursday.

Trump made the announcement as he made calls to the U.S. military on Thanksgiving.

Beckstrom, 20, was a “highly respected, young, magnificent person,” Trump said. “She’s just passed away. She’s no longer with us. She’s looking down at us right now. Her parents are with her. It’s just happened.”

The other wounded National Guard member, Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in critical condition.

“The other young man is fighting for his life,” Trump said. “He’s in very bad shape. He’s fighting for his life.”

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, the top federal prosecutor for the nation’s capital, posted a statement on social media following Trump’s announcement.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to the family of 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom of the National Guard — a hero who volunteered to serve DC on Thanksgiving for people she never met and gave the ultimate sacrifice,” Pirro said in the post. “May she rest in peace. It is now time to avenge her death and secure justice.”

Earlier Thursday, federal officials revealed more details about the attack and the suspected shooter.

The shooting took place around 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday near the Farragut West Metro station.

Pirro said the suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, drove from Washington state to target the guard members.

She said the suspect, an Afghan national, ambushed the Guard members, opening fire with a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver.

“One Guardsman is struck, goes down, and then the shooter leans over and strikes the Guardsman again. Another Guardsman is struck several times,” she said.

Other National Guard members quickly responded and helped subdue the suspected shooter after he was shot by a Guard member, she said.

West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey went to D.C. Wednesday night and visited the Guard members in the hospital overnight, according to his office.

“I’m asking every West Virginian to pray for our two Guardsmen as their families, friends, and neighbors struggle with this unspeakable tragedy,” Morrisey said in a statement.

The governor also met with the president to discuss the investigation.

“These facts demand a comprehensive investigation so we can bring those responsible to justice. We will continue working closely with federal authorities to get clear answers,” Morrisey said.

In an interview on Thanksgiving, Morrisey told ABC News’ D.C. affiliate WJLA that the two Guardsmen had volunteered for their mission in the nation’s capital.

The governor said he spoke to Trump and top administration officials the night of the shooting about the ongoing investigation.

“They want to have a complete investigation, and they want to get to the bottom of this. I think people want justice, people want accountability, and that is a theme that’s shared throughout the highest levels of the administration,” Morrisey said. “And I think everyone’s sickened to death by what happens, but now we have to show respect and go through the judicial process, uphold the rule of law and make sure at the end, there’s accountability for what’s been done.”

Morrisey said the West Virginia National Guard takes pride in its mission in Washington.

“The Guardsmen that are here, they all volunteered for the mission. These are people that wanted to serve because they know that the mission was good,” he said. “People were working to reduce crime. Well, they were succeeding in their mission. One of the talks I had with the president was about that very point that their mission was succeeding. The Guard knew that that was happening. So this is something that matters a lot. It’s our nation’s capital. So people were very enthusiastic about it.”

Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, commander of the D.C. National Guard, was emotional as he talked about the struggles Beckstrom and Wolfe’s families were facing as other Americans celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday.

“Regardless of the outcome, we know that their lives, their family lot, their families, lives are all changed forever because one person decided to do this horrific and evil thing,” he said.

Pirro said that the suspect will be charged with several counts, including assault with intent to harm and criminal possession of a weapon. She noted that those charges could change depending on the fate of the wounded guard members.

The suspect’s motive is still unclear, according to officials, speaking at a news conference.

FBI Director Kash Patel told reporters the probe is “ongoing investigation of terrorism.”

Investigators searched the suspect’s Bellingham, Washington, home and interviewed tenants for more information, according to Patel. Patel also said interviews were taking place in San Diego, but declined to provide further details.

He noted that the FBI received confirmation from the Department of Defense and CIA “that the subject had a relationship in Afghanistan with partner forces.”

“We are fully investigating that aspect of his background as well, to include any known associates that are either overseas or here in the United States of America,” Patel said. 

Lakanwal, who Pirro said had a wife and five children, came to the United States in 2021 under the Biden administration, Homeland Security Kristi Noem said in a statement Wednesday evening.

He applied for asylum in 2024 and was granted that status in April of this year, under the Trump administration, according to three law enforcement sources.

“He previously worked with the USG, including CIA, as a member of a partner force in Kandahar that ended in 2021 following the withdrawal from Afghanistan,” CIA Director John Ratcliffe said in a statement.

“[The suspect] would have been vetted against classified and unclassified holdings when he came here and as part of the asylum process,” said ABC News contributor John Cohen, former head of intelligence for the Department of Homeland Security and a former U.S. counterterrorism coordinator.

“He was actually granted asylum under the Trump administration … This does raise the question whether the administration is focusing enough on terrorism threats versus civil immigration enforcement.”

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump are spending Thanksgiving at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida and were not at the White House during the time of the incident.

Trump released a video statement Wednesday night calling the shooting an “act of hatred,” and ordering the reexamination of all Afghan immigrants admitted under the Biden administration.

He also ordered an additional 500 Guard troops to be deployed to D.C. Trump planned on making a traditional phone call to members of the military Thursday night, but it was not immediately known if he would speak to any National Guard members.

The National Guard was deployed to the nation’s capital as part of Trump’s federal takeover of the city and crime crackdown in August. According to the most recent update, there were 2,188 Guard personnel assigned to D.C.

On Tuesday, during the traditional turkey pardoning at the White House, Trump touted his administration’s takeover of D.C. streets. He said it was “one of our most unsafe places anywhere in the United States. It is now considered a totally safe city.”

“You could walk down any street in Washington and you’re going to be just fine. And I want to thank the National Guard. I want to thank you for the job you’ve done here is incredible,” Trump said at the event.

ABC News’ Ahmad Hemingway and Alex Presha contributed to this report.