'Magnificent person.' National Guard member remembered after DC attack
President Donald Trump said on Nov. 27 that National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom died after being shot in an ambush by an Afghan national near the White House, a shooting that drew claims from his administration of Biden-era immigration vetting failures and prompted a sweeping review of asylum cases.
Beckstrom, 20, died of her wounds, and Andrew Wolfe, 24, was "fighting for his life," Trump announced on Nov. 27, as investigators conducted what officials said was a terrorism investigation after the shooting. Beckstrom and Wolf were members of the West Virginia National Guard.
"Sarah Beckstrom of West Virginia, one of the guardsmen that we’re talking about, highly respected, young, magnificent person, started service in June of 2023, outstanding in every way. She’s just passed away," Trump said in a Thanksgiving call to service members from Palm Beach, Florida. "She's no longer with us."
Beckstrom, an Army Specialist from Summersville, West Virginia, was assigned to the 863rd Military Police Company, 111th Engineer Brigade, and entered service in June 2023, according to a news release from the West Virginia National Guard.
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Wolfe, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was assigned to the Force Support Squadron, 167 Airlift Wing. He entered service in February 2019, according to the news release.
Both were among the National Guard members deployed to the district in August as part of Trump's response to crime. The suspect, who officials described as a "lone gunman," is in custody and faces charges in connection with the attack, deemed to be a possible act of terrorism.
National Guard shooting: Victims identified in DC attack
'Always demonstrated the strength, character'
Following Trump's announcement on Nov. 27, officials called for prayers and shared their condolences. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on X that she was "devastated" and also called for prayers for Wolfe.
"Please pray for Sarah’s family. America will never forget her courage," Bondi said. "There WILL BE JUSTICE for Sarah."
FBI Director Kash Patel described Beckstrom as a "young soldier and patriot with her entire life ahead of her." He asked the public to pray for Beckstrom's family, friends, and fellow soldiers.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth called Beckstrom an "American hero,” adding in a post on X , "May our nation kneel in prayer for her family." Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, wrote on X that Beckstrom had volunteered to serve in D.C. on Thanksgiving for "people she never met and gave the ultimate sacrifice."
Beckstrom’s high school also released a statement on social media and shared a graduation photo of her. Webster County High School, located in Upperglade, West Virginia, said the school was "shocked and saddened" to hear of the shooting in D.C.
"Sarah, a member of the Class of 2023, has always demonstrated the strength, character, and commitment that make our school and community proud," the school said. "Her decision to serve her country reflects the very best of what we hope to instill in our Highlander students."
'Nothing but good things to say about him'
In a statement to USA TODAY, Berkeley County Schools in West Virginia confirmed that Wolfe had attended Musselman High School and graduated in 2019. The school district said it was thinking of Wolfe and the family.
"During his time at Musselman High, he was an active, engaged, and high-achieving student who embodied the Applemen spirit, contributing positively to our school community both academically and athletically," Musselman High School Principal Alicia Riggleman said.
Musselman High School counselor Christine Redstreake described Wolfe as "a really nice guy ," according to DC News Now .
"There are nothing but good things to say about him. He had an impact on the Musselman community just serving others and giving," Redstreake said, the outlet reported.
'Brazen and targeted attack'
Officials said the two National Guard members were shot near the Farragut West Metro station on Nov. 26 . The troops were part of a "high-visibility patrol" at around 2:15 p.m. ET near the corner of 17th and I St. NW, about two blocks from the White House, when the shooting occurred, officials said.
The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal from Washington state, was also shot and subdued by other guard members in the area. Pirro called the incident a “brazen and targeted attack” carried out by a “lone gunman” who ambushed the National Guard members without provocation.
During an interview on Fox and Friends , Bondi said Beckstrom volunteered to work over the holiday so that others could spend Thanksgiving with their families. “Yet now, their families are in hospital rooms with them, while they are fighting for their lives,” Bondi said.
The incident prompted Trump to deploy 500 more troops to the nation's capital. The motive behind the shooting is unclear.
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.
Contributing: Thao Nguyen, James Powel, Sarah D. Wire, Michael Collins, Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY; Reuters
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: National Guard victims remembered after deadly DC shooting
