November 28, 2025/
National Guard member shot near White House dies
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.
Events
Latest News Stories
Illinois audit commission members worried about ‘ghost’ health care networks
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Concerns about ghost medical insurance networks and zombie state boards and commissions were raised during a review...
Exclusive: District to repay $3 million to property owners
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square The National Taxpayers Union Foundation recently secured a major legal victory in Colorado that will result in $3 million in taxpayer reimbursements for certain property...
WATCH: CCTV footage captures attempted murder of Pennsylvania governor
By Christen SmithThe Center Square The Dauphin County District Attorney's Office released more than five minutes of CCTV footage that captured Cody Balmer setting fire to Gov. Josh Shapiro's official...
Most Americans say U.S. heading in the wrong direction, poll finds
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A new poll shows about 55% of registered voters think the U.S. is headed in the wrong direction, including 74% of Latino voters, a key...
Balmer pleads guilty to attempted murder of Pennsylvania governor
By Christen SmithThe Center Square The man accused of firebombing the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion in Harrisburg pleaded guilty to attempted murder, aggravated arson and terrorism on Tuesday. Cody Balmer also...
Cook County officials warn property tax reform could hurt homeowners
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are clashing over a Cook County property tax relief plan that restricts the types...
Maine Gov. Janet Mills officially launches U.S. Senate bid
By Chris WadeThe Center Square Maine Gov. Janet Mills formally announced Tuesday that she will seek the Democratic Party's nomination to challenge incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in next year's...
Illinois quick hits: Poll finds mixed reviews for Trump; posthumous medal for Kirk; transit fare increase proposed
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Poll finds mixed reviews for Trump President Donald Trump’s economic policies are getting mixed reviews from voters. The Center Square Voters'...
AARP under fire after $9 billion payment from UnitedHealthcare revealed
By Tom JoyceThe Center Square AARP is facing new scrutiny after disclosures showed it will receive $9 billion from UnitedHealthcare under a restructured deal to market AARP-branded Medicare Advantage plans....
WATCH: Trump: Pritzker should ‘beg;’ Veto Session begins as Madigan reports to prison
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares comments from...
WATCH: Trump: Pritzker should beg for help with public safety in Chicago
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – President Donald Trump says he doesn’t want to use the Insurrection Act to help with public safety...
L.A. congresswoman insists on health insurance tax credits
By Dave MasonThe Center Square Democrats won’t reopen the federal government if America’s health care remains at risk, U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Los Angeles, told thousands of people at AIDS...
Newsom threatens university funding over Trump’s education deal
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square California Gov. Gavin Newsom warned state universities that signing the Trump administration's education agreement would put them in direct conflict with his administration. Newsom issued...
Former Los Angeles schools chief runs against city’s mayor
By Dave MasonThe Center Square Andrew Beutner, former superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, announced Monday he’s running against Mayor Karen Bass. Beutner, 65, launched his campaign during...
Illinois quick hits: WARN report layoffs total 1,689; Powerball winners in Rochelle and Colona
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square WARN report layoffs total 1,689 According to the latest Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) notice, 1,689 employees across...