Tragic Shooting Near the White House
On Wednesday afternoon, two National Guard members were critically injured in an ambush just blocks from the White House, federal prosecutors reported on Thursday. The soldiers had been sworn in for less than a day.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, identified the Guardsmen as Andrew Wolfe, 24, and Sarah Beckstrom, 20. They had recently arrived from West Virginia to support President Trump’s initiative against crime in the capital.
Both service members are currently fighting for their lives after being targeted by a shooter near the Farragut West Metro station.
“Unfortunately, today, as most families gather to give thanks for their blessings, two families are shattered and torn apart due to one man’s actions,” Ms. Pirro stated.
The alleged shooter has been identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, who reportedly traveled across the country to execute this attack on troops patrolling Washington D.C.
Lakanwal opened fire on one Guardsman before shooting them again and then targeting another member multiple times until he was subdued by a fellow soldier.
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Ms. Pirro mentioned that Lakanwal is an Afghan refugee who sought asylum in the U.S. following the military withdrawal in 2021. He faces charges including assault with intent to kill and various gun-related offenses.
“These Guardsmen represent the line between a civilized society and chaos; they uphold law and order,” Ms. Pirro emphasized. “This attack was not merely an assault; it was a direct challenge to our nation’s capital’s law enforcement.”
The FBI Director Kash Patel referred to this incident as an “act of terrorism” and confirmed that investigations into potential links to broader terrorist activities are ongoing.
Sgt. Wolfe and Spc. Beckstrom are part of over 2,200 National Guard members deployed in D.C. for President Trump’s crackdown on violence and disorder.
In response to Wednesday’s shooting, Mr. Trump ordered an additional 500 National Guard troops to be sent to Washington D.C., shortly after extending their deployment through February.
