Moment of Silence at West Virginia Game for Fallen Guardsmen

Before the West Virginia Mountaineers faced off against the No. 5 Texas Tech Red Raiders on Saturday, the crowd participated in a moment of silence. This was to honor the two West Virginia National Guard soldiers tragically shot in Washington, D.C., earlier that week.

The announcer requested silence as the spectators reflected on 24-year-old U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant John Johnson and 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom from Webster Springs. Their photos were displayed on the scoreboard during this somber moment.

Both soldiers were attacked near the White House while serving in Washington, D.C. Beckstrom unfortunately passed away from her injuries, while Staff Sergeant Johnson remains in critical condition.

The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Rakanwar, an Afghan national, was captured on video during the attack. Eyewitnesses described him dressed in black, brandishing a revolver amid a chaotic scene where Guardsmen sought refuge.

Authorities reported that one Guardsman managed to fire back, and Metro Police responded after hearing gunfire around three blocks from the White House. Rakanwar was eventually apprehended after being shot himself.

Federal documents indicate that he fired between ten to fifteen shots from a .357 revolver. Rakanwar entered the United States in September 2021 as part of the evacuation and resettlement initiatives spurred by the Biden administration and had no previous criminal record.

Currently facing charges that include first-degree murder and armed assault with intent to kill, the prosecution plans to pursue the death penalty.

Beckstrom and Johnson were in D.C. as part of a mission to address crime in response to a directive from President Trump. Representative Riley Moore shared on “Fox & Friends Weekend” that Johnson is “just hanging in there.” He mentioned that Johnson’s family is rallying for support, asking for prayers during this difficult time. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrissey echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the community’s efforts to rally support for Johnson’s recovery.

In the context of the game, the Mountaineers didn’t have much luck, falling to the Red Raiders with a score of 49-0. Texas Tech improved to 11-1, while West Virginia ended the season with a disappointing 4-8 record.

Such events impact the community profoundly. Military service is taken very seriously in West Virginia, making this tragedy particularly shocking to its residents.