UPDATE: WVNG Spc. Sarah Beckstrom has died from injuries after DC shootout
SSgt. Andrew Wolfe remains in critical condition after surgery
By Matthew Young, RealWV
UPDATED: Thursday, Nov. 27, 7:21 p.m.
Shortly after 7 p.m., during his Thanksgiving video address to service members, President Donald Trump announced that 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom had succumbed to the injuries she sustained Wednesday, during what’s being described as an “ambush style” attack.
“I must unfortunately tell you that, just seconds before I went on, right now I’ve heard that Sarah Beckstrom, of West Virginia – one of the Guardsmen that we’re talking about, highly-respected, young, magnificent person who started service in June of 2023, outstanding in every way – she’s just passed away,” Trump said. “She’s no longer with us. She’s looking down on us right now. Her parents are with her. This just happened. She was savagely attacked – she’s dead. She’s not with us.”
Sarah Beckstrom was a resident of Summersville.
RealWV will provide continuing updates as additional information is made available.
UPDATED: Thursday, Nov. 27, 3:34 p.m.
West Virginia’s National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Jim Seward, through a press statement Thursday, authorized the release of the names of the two WV National Guard members critically wounded during Wednesday’s shooting in Washington, D.C.
20-year-old Spc. Sarah Beckstrom of Webster Springs, and 24-year-old SSgt. Andrew Wolfe of Martinsburg remain in critical condition in D.C. area hospitals. The suspected-attacker has been identified as 29-year-old Rahmanuallah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who is alleged to have traveled from his home in Washington state to carry out the attack. Lakanwal was also injured during the exchange of gunfire and is receiving medical care while in custody.
On Thursday, Sarah Beckstrom’s father, Gary Beckstrom, told The New York Times that, “She has a mortal wound. It’s not going to be a recovery.” Sarah Beckstrom had been shot twice during the attack.
Thank you to WCHS, as well as Brad McElhinny and TJ Meadows of WV MetroNews for their continued reporting. RealWV will provide updates as additional information is made available.
WASHINGTON, DC. – Two members of the West Virginia National Guard deployed to Washington D.C. are in critical condition Wednesday, resulting from injuries sustained during a shootout with at least one individual.
Conflicting information was initially reported as to the condition of the two guardsmen, with Gov. Patrick Morrisey initially announcing the worst. Approximately 30 minutes later, however, Morrisey withdrew his earlier statement, noting that, “We are now receiving conflicting reports about the condition of our two Guard members and will provide additional updates once we receive more complete information.”
“Our prayers are with these brave service members, their families, and the entire Guard community,” Morrisey added.
As reported earlier today by the Associated Press, the shootout occurred at the corner of H and 17th Streets, approximately two blocks away from the White House. One suspect who was also shot is now in custody, with apparent non-life threatening injuries. No information is yet available as to the identity of the suspect, or the reasons behind the shootings.
After being briefed on the shooting, President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform, stating, “The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen, with both being critically wounded, and now in two separate hospitals, is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price.”
“God bless our great National Guard, and all of our military and law enforcement,” Trump continued. “These are truly great people. I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!”
RealWV will provide updates regarding the status of the guard members, as well as any other pertinent information as additional details are made available.
