A quiet afternoon near the White House was shattered by gunfire on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, leaving two young West Virginia National Guard members fighting for their lives. The victims, identified as 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, were in Washington, D.C., as part of a mission to enhance safety in the District. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, in a news conference, said the soldiers “answered the call, they took the charge, and they put their lives on the line for people they don’t even know.”
The shocking ambush, which occurred just blocks from the White House, has ignited a complex investigation into the motive of a suspect who reportedly drove across the country to carry out the attack.
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An Ambush in the Nation’s Capital
The attack unfolded around 2:15 p.m. on November 26, 2025, near the busy intersection of 17th and I streets NW, close to the Farragut West Metro station. According to federal officials, the uniformed guardsmen were ambushed by a lone gunman, later identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome. Investigators state that Lakanwal, using a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver, opened fire on Beckstrom and Wolfe without any provocation. The brutality of the assault was stark; one soldier was struck, fell to the ground, and was shot again at close range, while the other was hit multiple times.
🙏 Prayers for Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe and their families as they remain in critical condition on this Thanksgiving holiday. pic.twitter.com/al6S325Ako
— Chad Ramsey 🇺🇸 (@chadramsey007) November 27, 2025
The situation could have been even worse if not for the swift actions of other National Guard members who were nearby. Hearing the gunfire, they immediately ran toward the danger, confronting the shooter and neutralizing the threat. The gunman was subdued at the scene and was also shot, sustaining injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Social media video from the aftermath showed a chaotic and heartbreaking scene, with first responders performing CPR on one of the troops on a sidewalk covered in broken glass. Both Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe underwent surgery and, as of Thursday, remained in critical condition. Officials confirmed they are in close contact with the families and are providing support.
A Complex Investigation and National Reaction
In the wake of the shooting, federal authorities have mounted a multifaceted investigation. The suspect, Lakanwal, is currently facing three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, as well as a charge of possessing a firearm during a crime of violence. U.S. Attorney Pirro stated that additional charges, including potential first-degree murder charges, could be filed depending on the outcome of the victims’ fight for survival. The FBI and Department of Homeland Security are deeply involved, scrutinizing Lakanwal’s immigration history and vetting records. The FBI director has also revealed that the shooting is being investigated as an act of terrorism.
The incident has quickly reverberated beyond the crime scene, touching raw nerves in the national political debate. The suspect’s background has placed an immediate spotlight on the Operation Allies Welcome program, which evacuated and resettled tens of thousands of Afghans following the U.S. withdrawal from the country. In a video message, President Donald Trump called for the reinvestigation of all Afghan refugees who entered under the program.
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Meanwhile, the context of the National Guard’s presence in D.C.—part of a broader deployment that has become a political flashpoint—adds another layer to the story, prompting the Trump administration to quickly order 500 more Guard members to the capital. As Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe continue their battle in the hospital, their service and sacrifice have become a focal point for a nation grappling with issues of security, immigration, and violence on its own streets.
