Shooting Near White House: National Guard Troops Targeted

Thu Dec 25 2025 02:03:45 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A man has been charged in connection with the shooting that left one National Guard member dead and another seriously injured near the White House. The alleged shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, faces multiple charges including first-degree murder.

On November 26, a shooting incident near the White House resulted in the tragic death of 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and serious injuries to 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, both members of the West Virginia National Guard. Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, has been charged federally with firearms offenses and remains charged with first-degree murder among others. Lakanwal, who previously worked with U.S. intelligence in Afghanistan, entered the U.S. in 2021 during a program aimed at resettling Afghans following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. The case is set to be moved to District Court for further proceedings.

In a shocking incident on November 26, Rahmanullah Lakanwal was accused of ambushing two National Guard members near the White House, resulting in the death of 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and serious injuries to Andrew Wolfe, 24.

Lakanwal faces several serious charges, including first-degree murder and illegal possession of a firearm. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated that the weight of this case demands close scrutiny, indicating potential consideration for the death penalty as the analysis proceeds in District Court.

The tragic event unfolded while both Guard members were deployed in Washington D.C. as part of a law enforcement surge ordered by President Donald Trump. According to reports, Lakanwal traveled from Bellingham, Washington, with a stolen firearm and ambushed the National Guard troops outside a subway station, just blocks from the White House.

An Afghan national, Lakanwal entered the U.S. in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, a program designed to help Afghans evacuated amid the U.S. withdrawal. His connection to American agents in Afghanistan, particularly with the CIA, adds another layer to this unfolding story.

While the investigation and legal proceedings continue, the families of the victims are left grappling with the loss and injuries endured during this brutal attack.