National Guard ambush near the White House triggers FBI raids and Afghan immigration suspension as authorities investigate the shooter’s background and motives.
Two West Virginia National Guard members were shot and seriously wounded in a targeted ambush just blocks from the White House in downtown Washington-DC on Wednesday afternoon. Both victims remain in critical condition after surgery, highlighting the gravity of this high-profile security incident.
The attack unfolded around 2:00 PM EST near Farragut Square during a routine high-visibility patrol in a busy lunchtime area. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey confirmed both victims, Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe, succumbed to their injuries, marking a tragic turn from initial critical condition reports. This elevates charges against suspect Rahmanullah Lakanwal to potential first-degree murder.
Suspect Identified as Afghan National in Custody
Authorities have named the suspect as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, described by the Department of Homeland Security as:
“A criminal alien from Afghanistan.”
He entered the US in September 2021 via Operation Allies Welcome, a Biden-era program for Afghans who aided US forces and had his asylum application approved earlier in 2025.
Lakanwal, who lived in Washington state with his wife and five children, drove cross-country to DC and was shot four times during apprehension but survived with non-life-threatening injuries. He’s not cooperating with investigators, and no motive has been publicly confirmed, though officials call it:
“A heinous act of terrorism.”
FBI Director Kash Patel noted Lakanwal’s prior ties to US forces and CIA-backed units in Afghanistan. In response, the Trump administration suspended all Afghan immigration processing and pledged reviews of Biden-era asylum cases.
Victims: Young Guardsmen Fighting for Lives
The wounded soldiers are 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, both uniformed West Virginia National Guard members patrolling to keep DC safe.
Attorney General Pam Bondi highlighted Beckstrom’s volunteer service over Thanksgiving as:
“Allowing others family time, now her own family waits by her bedside.”
Beckstrom’s father told the media she’s unlikely to survive, as she fights after multiple gunshot wounds, including to the head. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro confirmed charges, including three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, facing up to 15 years, plus firearm possession during violence, potentially murder if fatalities occur.
Both guardsmen, shot multiple times including head injuries, underwent surgery but did not pull through, per the governor’s X post. FBI Director Kash Patel called for public prayers for the warriors and their families.
Trump Administration’s Immediate Policy Shifts
President Donald Trump, from Mar-a-Lago, labeled the shooting an:
“Act of terror and a crime against humanity”
Trump also called Lakanwal an:
“Animal in a point-blank ambush”
In direct response to the Washington-DC National Guard shooting, President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of 500 additional National Guard troops to the capital, increasing the total to around 2,700 amid his ongoing urban crime crackdown.
Trump urged re-examining all Afghan entrants under Biden, blaming vetting failures without specifics. Vice President JD Vance defended the policy on social media, pushing deportations for those without legal status.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) suspended all immigration processing for Afghan nationals indefinitely, pending enhanced security and vetting reviews. Trump also directed a full re-examination of every Afghan entrant admitted under Biden-era policies, blaming inadequate vetting for the suspect’s entry.
Asylum and Vetting Overhauls
Rahmanullah Lakanwal entered via Operation Allies Welcome in September 2021 and had his asylum approved in April 2025 post-Trump inauguration sparking internal scrutiny.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe stated:
“This individual and so many others should have never been allowed to come here.”
US Citizenship and Immigration Services halted Afghan-related requests entirely as a precautionary measure. Vice President JD Vance amplified this on social media, urging redoubled deportation efforts for those without legal status.
Broader Immigration and Security Implications
These moves align with Trump’s reelection promises on border security, now intensified by the attack near the White House. Critics note the deployments face court challenges from DC officials, while Trump claims they’ve slashed crime, contradicting police stats.
FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi pushed terrorism charges against Lakanwal, seeking life imprisonment minimum. No formal legislative changes announced yet, but expect executive actions tightening Afghan SIV and asylum pathways.
This swift pivot shows how security incidents accelerate policy watch for congressional hearings soon. Solid steps, though implementation details will be key
Tributes Pour In for Fallen National Guard Heroes
Public and official tributes have flooded in for West Virginia National Guard members Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24, who tragically succumbed to gunshot wounds from the DC shooting.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey confirmed their deaths on X, calling them:
“Heroes who volunteered to serve over Thanksgiving so others could be with family.”
President Donald Trump honored them in a Mar-a-Lago statement as:
“Brave warriors ambushed in service to our nation.”
Trump, in this regard, vows justice and additional troop deployments. Attorney General Pam Bondi shared on Fox News that Beckstrom “volunteered selflessly,” now leaving her family in grief. Her father, Gary, held her hand, sharing that she fought valiantly but passed.
Latest Investigation Updates on DC Guard Shooting
FBI raids continue at suspect Rahmanullah Lakanwal’s Washington state home and San Diego-linked properties, with agents seizing cellphones, laptops, iPads, and other electronics while interviewing family members. Director Kash Patel confirmed at a Thursday presser that this forms part of a full terrorism investigation.
These are the latest updates as of now:
- Metro station video captured the attack on three Guardsmen near 17th and I streets NW.
- Lakanwal emerged, fired a .357 Magnum revolver point-blank, dropping Sarah Beckstrom first, then Andrew Wolfe behind a bus shelter before a third Guardsman returned fire, wounding him four times.
- He’s hospitalized in custody, uncooperative, with no motive disclosed; officials believe he acted alone.
- Digital forensics ongoing.
- Lakanwal drove cross-country from Bellingham, WA, targeting DC.
- No prior criminal record noted.
- Charges now include potential first-degree murder given both victims’ deaths, alongside assault with intent to kill (15 years max) and firearm possession during violence.
- Terrorism enhancements eyed for life sentence.
- DC Police Chief Jeff Carroll detailed the “immediate firing” ambush during lunchtime patrol.
- The crime scene was locked down swiftly.
- No additional victims or accomplices identified as of Friday morning.
This tragic incident is a stark reminder of vulnerabilities in high-security zones, which demand thoughtful vetting and rapid response to shape future security strategies.
