National Guard member shot near White House dies

Spread the love

One of the National Guard members shot near the White House on Wednesday died from her injuries, President Donald Trump said.

U.S. Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old from West Virginia, died from her injuries. Staff Sgt Andrew Wolfe, 24, also of West Virginia, remains in critical condition.

Beckstrom started serving in the National Guard in June 2023 and was “outstanding in every single way, in every department,” Trump said.

The suspected gunman, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, is an Afghan national who entered the country in 2021 under former President Joe Biden’s Operation Allies Welcome, according to the FBI.

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed Lakanwal had a “relationship in Afghanistan with partner forces.” Patel said in a Thanksgiving Day news conference that the shooting is being investigated as an act of terrorism. Lakanwal was shot during the incident and is at an area hospital, officials said. The charges against him are expected to be upgraded now that one of the guard members has died.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Sorensen drug-pricing bill draws criticism from former FDA official

Sorensen drug-pricing bill draws criticism from former FDA official

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Illinois, is backing legislation he says would lower prescription drug costs by...
Supporters, critics clash over future of taxpayer funding for Rx Kids

Supporters, critics clash over future of taxpayer funding for Rx Kids

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Michigan lawmakers remain divided over the future of the state's Rx Kids program as House Republicans continue scrutinizing the initiative. The first-in-the-nation cash assistance program,...
U.S. Senate race headlines Maine primaries as voters head to polls Tuesday

U.S. Senate race headlines Maine primaries as voters head to polls Tuesday

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Voters in Maine will head to the polls Tuesday in high profile primary races that could help determine control of Congress. The races have garnered...
Bessent backs 3% deficit goal despite 5% budget forecasts

Bessent backs 3% deficit goal despite 5% budget forecasts

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pledged in two congressional hearings this week to cut the federal deficit to 3% of GDP, a target the government's...
Constables hope to find missing children in immigration search effort

Constables hope to find missing children in immigration search effort

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square After months of Congress stalling on funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and administrative changes, Pennsylvania state constables who’ve signed agreements to support federal...
Lawmaker blasts reports of ‘equitable assessments’ at medical school

Lawmaker blasts reports of ‘equitable assessments’ at medical school

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois State Rep. Bill Hauter, a Republican physician and graduate of the University of Illinois College...
FOID changes advance in Illinois House, not called in Senate

FOID changes advance in Illinois House, not called in Senate

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Changes to Illinois’ Firearm Owner’s ID Card didn’t get across the finish line before the General Assembly...
Texas tops California, New York, with the most Fortune 500 headquarters

Texas tops California, New York, with the most Fortune 500 headquarters

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Under Gov. Greg Abbott, the most Fortune 500 headquarters are now located in Texas. According to Fortune Media’s 2026 Fortune 500 list, its top companies...
Nine candidates run in Las Vegas congressional district

Nine candidates run in Las Vegas congressional district

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Nevada’s 1st Congressional district sees a total of nine candidates vying for Tuesday's Democratic and Republican primaries, but only two have captured the majority of...
U.S. seeks dismissal of lawsuit over deadly boat strikes

U.S. seeks dismissal of lawsuit over deadly boat strikes

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. government moved Friday to dismiss a lawsuit brought by families of two Trinidadian men killed in a U.S. military boat strike, arguing the...
Seattle mayor reverses course, activates surveillance cameras for World Cup

Seattle mayor reverses course, activates surveillance cameras for World Cup

By Randy DiamondThe Center Square In a reversal, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has ordered that surveillance cameras be turned on during the FIFA World Cup Tournament. Wilson said in a...
Chicago judge sides against Florida attorney general on kids transgender medicine

Chicago judge sides against Florida attorney general on kids transgender medicine

By Scott Holland | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A federal judge in Chicago has refused to dismiss a lawsuit the American Academy of Pediatrics lodged against Florida Attorney General James...
Expert: GOP success this week doesn't mean Nov. 3 victories

Expert: GOP success this week doesn’t mean Nov. 3 victories

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Republicans appear to have done well in this week's California primary, despite Democrats redrawing congressional districts in their favor. But an expert observing Tuesday's election...
High-speed rail project criticized again after $3.5B contract

High-speed rail project criticized again after $3.5B contract

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square After a $3.5 billion contract was awarded for track and electrical work on California’s high-speed rail, critics are calling the entire project problematic because of...
Platner leads Collins in Maine U.S. Senate race despite controversies

Platner leads Collins in Maine U.S. Senate race despite controversies

By Christen SmithThe Center Square Democrat and oyster farmer Graham Platner continues to out-poll incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, despite mounting controversies about his treatment of women, fellow war...