A 20-year-old National Guard member, Sarah Beckstrom, has died after being shot at close range in downtown Washington, D.C., an attack that has prompted immediate and far-reaching immigration policy announcements from the Trump administration.
President Donald Trump confirmed Beckstrom’s death on Thursday, paying tribute to the West Virginia soldier as a “highly respected, young, magnificent person” during a Thanksgiving call with troops. The second Guardsman, 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, remains in critical condition “fighting for his life.”
The shooting occurred near Farragut Square on Wednesday afternoon. Police have arrested a 29-year-old Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, in connection with the attack. Both soldiers were part of a deployment of over 2,000 troops to the capital, a initiative launched by the Trump administration to address urban crime.
In the wake of the incident, President Trump characterized the attack as evidence of a “major national security threat.” His administration has since announced a suspension of all immigration requests from Afghans and a sweeping re-examination of green cards issued to nationals from 19 countries. Trump also vowed to “permanently pause migration” from unspecified “third world countries.”
Beckstrom, who had enlisted in June 2023, had volunteered to serve in Washington over the Thanksgiving holiday. Her death was met with grief in her home state, with West Virginia Senator Jim Justice saying he was “absolutely devastated.”
The suspect was shot four times during the incident and is in custody. The motive for the attack remains under investigation.
By James Kisoo
