District of Columbia Attorney Janine Pirro has identified the two National Guard soldiers who were shot near the White House as Sara Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolf, 24, both from West Virginia.
Pirro revealed their identities at a Thanksgiving morning press conference, alongside FBI Director Kash Patel and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.
“They were wearing the uniform of the West Virginia National Guard and were in Washington, D.C., to help maintain safety as part of President Trump’s directive,” Pirro stated.
According to the U.S. attorney, Beckstrom and Wolf had just been sworn in the day before the incident.
Pirro reported that both men are in “grave condition” following surgery.
“We are wishing them well as they receive the best possible care. We’ve been in constant communication with their families, providing all necessary support during this challenging time,” she added.
Pirro also mentioned the gunman, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Rakanwal, originally from Afghanistan, who entered the U.S. under former President Biden’s Operation Welcoming Allies after the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in September 2021. He opened fire on the Guardsmen near the Farragut West subway station around 2:15 p.m. ET.
Using a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver, Rakanwal reportedly conducted “ambush” and “targeted” attacks.
“One of the guards was struck and fell, and then the shooter approached and attacked him again,” she described.
“Another security guard was hit multiple times. Fellow guards on-site reacted swiftly, engaged the suspect, and managed to subdue him at the scene,” Pirro noted. “He has been taken to a local hospital and is under heavy security.”
Rakanwal was noted to live in Bellingham, Washington, with his wife and five children, and he had been traveling across the country with an intent to reach the capital.
Charges against him are contingent on Beckstrom and Wolf’s recovery. Currently, he faces three counts of assault with intent to kill and illegal possession of a firearm during a violent crime. If either soldier fails to survive, U.S. Attorneys have indicated that they would pursue first-degree murder charges.
