A member of the West Virginia National Guard died Thursday following a shooting in Washington, D.C., prompting a swift political response and renewed focus on national security. President Donald Trump announced the death of 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom, while another Guardsman remains hospitalized in critical condition. The alleged shooter, 29-year-old Rahmanullah lakanwal, an Afghan national, is in custody and receiving medical treatment, with the incident already fueling debate over immigration policies and border security.
A member of the National Guard died November 27, 2025, following an attack in Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump announced Thursday. The incident has prompted renewed debate over border security and immigration policies in the United States.
Sarah Beckstrom, 20, of West Virginia, was identified as the deceased service member. Trump revealed her death during a call with members of the Armed Forces, stating, “Unfortunately, just moments ago, I was informed that Sarah Beckstrom, from West Virginia, one of the guards that we’ve been talking about, highly respected, young, magnificent person, who began her service in June of 2023, extraordinary in every way, has just passed away.”
Another National Guard member, Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in critical condition, “fighting for his life,” according to the President.
The alleged attacker has been identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, whom Trump described as “a savage monster.” Officials said Lakanwal is also in serious condition.
Speaking on Thanksgiving Day, Trump directly blamed the Biden administration’s immigration policies for allowing Lakanwal into the country and enabling the subsequent attack. “This atrocity reminds us that we have no greater national security priority than ensuring we have complete control of who enters and remains in our country. Mostly, we don’t want them. They come here illegally,” he stated.
The incident comes as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a “rigorous review” of green cards issued to nationals from 19 “countries of concern,” including Afghanistan, Cuba, Venezuela, and Haiti. This development signals a potential tightening of immigration scrutiny.
Trump expressed his gratitude to the troops for their involvement in protecting the United States from migrants he characterized as gang members, drug traffickers, and individuals with criminal or mental health histories.
“I want to express the anguish and horror of our entire nation over yesterday’s terrorist attack in our nation’s capital, in which a savage man shot two members of the West Virginia National Guard,” the President reiterated.
