National Guardsmen in Critical Condition After Ambush in D.C.
As of Thursday morning, two recently sworn-in members of the West Virginia National Guard remain in critical condition after being shot in what authorities believe to be a “targeted ambush” near the White House. The victims have been identified by D.C. officials.
During a press conference, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro named the victims as 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, both from West Virginia.
Pirro criticized the Biden administration’s 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan and the subsequent Operation Allies Welcome. She claims these decisions allowed the shooting suspect, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, to enter the U.S.
“You picked the wrong target, the wrong city and the wrong country, and you will be sorry for the violence and the evil you perpetrated in our nation’s capital,” she stated during the press briefing.
Pirro added that Lakanwal had traveled across the country from Washington state before carrying out the attack. According to FBI Director Kash Patel, a search warrant was executed at Lakanwal’s home, where it was revealed he had previously worked with partners in Afghanistan.
“Both Sarah and Andrew were sworn in less than 24 hours before they were shot on the street,” Pirro disclosed.
Wolfe’s former high school, Musselman High School, expressed condolences via social media. The school community shared their sorrow over the injury of one of their own.
The incident took place around 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday, close to the Farragut West metro station in downtown Washington, D.C. The soldiers were in uniform and conducting foot patrols when they were shot multiple times. They were subsequently rushed to a local hospital for emergency surgery.
As of Thursday evening, their conditions remain critical.
Lakanwal, who has Afghan nationality, was shot and injured by responding police officers and is currently under arrest. He resides in Washington state with his wife and five children, but his immigration status has been in question, with his authorization to stay in the U.S. having expired earlier this year.
Despite this, Lakanwal had applied for asylum in 2024, which was granted earlier in 2025. It was confirmed that he served in Afghanistan’s elite Commando Corps and associated with a CIA-backed military unit.
He now faces federal charges, including:
- Three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed.
- Criminal possession of a weapon.
- Possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
Officials have indicated that if either Guardsman does not survive, charges could escalate to first-degree murder. He could face 15 years for the initial assault charge alone.
As the investigation progresses, law enforcement is considering additional terrorism-related charges against Lakanwal, who is expected to appear in court once he is stable enough.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force has taken over the investigation, treating the case as a possible act of terrorism, though no motive has been established yet.
Following the attack, President Donald Trump called for a review of vetting procedures for Afghan evacuees. He characterized the incident as an “act of terror” during a brief video address and ordered an increase of 500 troops to be deployed to D.C.
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice also expressed his outrage at the incident, labeling it “absolutely sickening” and called for prayers for the injured soldiers.
While the families of the soldiers have requested privacy, federal authorities continue to investigate the situation. The White House area has heightened security as the nation observes the Thanksgiving holiday.
