A National Guard member was fatally shot Wednesday near the White House in Washington, D.C., prompting a security lockdown and raising questions about screening processes for individuals entering the United States. Twenty-year-old Sarah Beckstromová of west Virginia, and 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, also of west Virginia, were ambushed while securing Farragut Square, and the incident is being investigated as a potential act of terrorism. The shooting has led the Biden administration too temporarily halt the processing of applications from Afghan citizens, a move following calls from former President Trump to re-examine those already admitted into the country.
A member of the National Guard died Wednesday after being shot near the White House in Washington, D.C., prompting a security lockdown and raising questions about the vetting of migrants entering the United States. The shooting underscores the heightened security concerns surrounding federal buildings and the ongoing debate over immigration policy.
Sarah Beckstromová, 20, of West Virginia, “a highly respected, young, wonderful person,” died from her injuries, former President Donald Trump told reporters Thursday. Another member of the National Guard, Andrew Wolfe, 24, also from West Virginia, remains in critical condition after undergoing surgery following the attack.
The shooting occurred at approximately 2:15 p.m. local time (8:15 p.m. CET) near Farragut Square, just blocks from the White House. According to Metropolitan Police Department Deputy Chief Jeff Carroll, the suspect “ambushed” the two National Guard members from behind.
Prosecutors say the suspect opened fire without provocation, using a Smith & Wesson .357 caliber revolver. “The shooter without provocation began to fire, as if it were an ambush,” said prosecutor Jeanine Pirro on Thursday.
Other National Guard members returned fire, neutralizing the attacker, who also sustained serious injuries. Following the shooting, police secured the area, including a temporary lockdown of the White House. Authorities are currently investigating the incident as a potential act of terrorism, though a motive remains unclear. Officials have stated the suspect acted alone.
According to reports, the suspect has been identified as a 29-year-old Afghan migrant who previously collaborated with the U.S. military and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) against the Taliban. He arrived in the United States in September 2021 and had been residing in the state of Washington.
The man was admitted to the U.S. as part of a program initiated by President Joe Biden following the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan. He had initially been accepted under an agreement brokered during the Trump administration.
The suspect is currently facing charges of assault with intent to kill and possession of a firearm during a violent crime, but those charges could be upgraded to murder following Beckstromová’s death, Pirro indicated before the announcement.
“This heinous attack was an act of evil, an act of hatred, and an act of terror,” Trump said Wednesday. He called for a re-examination of all Afghan migrants admitted to the country under the Biden administration, stating, “If they don’t love our country, we don’t want them.” He described the suspect as an “animal” who will “pay a very high price” for his actions.
Afghan Applications Suspended
The Biden administration has temporarily suspended processing applications from Afghan citizens in response to the shooting. Approximately 76,000 Afghans have been accepted into the U.S. through the program, largely consisting of individuals who collaborated with American forces and diplomats and faced potential retribution following the Taliban’s return to power.
Currently, 2,188 National Guard members are responsible for security in Washington, D.C., following an order issued by Trump in August granting him control over local law enforcement. He subsequently deployed Guard units from eight states. In response to the shooting, Defense Minister Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday that an additional 500 troops would be sent to the capital.
