This photo provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, show National Guard member Specialist Sarah Beckstrom. (U.S. Attorney’s Office via AP)

CHARLESTON – A day set aside for thanksgiving turned into an evening of mourning after state officials announced the death of one of two West Virginia National Guard members shot Wednesday on the streets of Washington, D.C., while on duty.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced Thursday night that Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died earlier today after being shot the day before in what federal law enforcement officials have called a targeted attack.

“A few moments ago, Spc. Sarah Beckstrom passed away from the injuries sustained during yesterday’s horrific shooting. This is not the result we hoped for, but it is the result we all feared,” Morrisey said.

According to the West Virginia National Guard, Beckstrom was assigned to the 863rd Military Police Company, 111th Engineer Brigade. She had been on deployment in Washington, D.C., since August and was one of a group of approximately 160 volunteers remaining in D.C. through the end of December. Beckstrom resided in Webster Springs.

“Sarah served with courage, extraordinary resolve, and an unwavering sense of duty to her state and to her nation,” Morrisey said. “She answered the call to serve, stepped forward willingly, and carried out her mission with the strength and character that define the very best of the West Virginia National Guard.

This photo provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, shows National Guard members Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe. (U.S. Attorney’s Office via AP)

“Today, we honor her bravery and her sacrifice as we mourn the loss of a young woman who gave everything she had in defense of others,” Morrisey continued. “We will forever hold her family, her friends, and her fellow Guardsmen in our prayers as they grieve what no family should ever have to bear.”

A second member of the West Virginia National Guard, 24-year-old SSgt Andrew Wolfe, remained in critical condition following surgery. Wolfe was assigned to the Force Support Squadron, 167th Airlift Wing, and was from Martinsburg.

Both Beckstrom and Wolfe were wounded Wednesday afternoon in a shooting near the Farragut Square Metro Station in Washington. Federal law enforcement officials identified 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, as the alleged shooter, driving from his home in Washington state to ambush Guard members using a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver, though no specific motives were released.

Officials said that Lakanwal came into the U.S. in 2021 following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, having worked with the CIA and other U.S. forces. He was brought into the U.S. through Operation Allies Welcome, settling in near Seattle with his wife and five children.

Lakanwal, who was also shot Wednesday and taken into custody, faces charges of assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, but those charges are likely to be upgraded to first-degree murder in light of Beckstrom’s death.

Streets are blocked after reports that two National Guard soldiers were shot near the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Anthony Peltier)

“Our hearts and prayers go out to the family of 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom of the National Guard — a hero who volunteered to serve D.C. on Thanksgiving for people she never met and gave the ultimate sacrifice,” said Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. “May she rest in peace. It is now time to avenge her death and secure justice.”

President Donald Trump has since called for a review of all Afghan refugees in the U.S. and also called for an additional 500 National Guard members to come to D.C.

Morrisey announced on Aug. 16 that he was joining other states in sending between 300 and 400 personnel with the West Virginia National Guard to Washington at the request of the Trump Administration to help assist local law enforcement and the D.C. National Guard quell crime in the nation’s Capitol. The bulk of West Virginia’s Guard deployment returned to the state last week.

A legal challenge to Morrisey’s deployment of National Guard assets was rejected by a Kanawha County judge in October. A federal judge has since ruled that deployment of the D.C. National Guard by Trump – as well as the deployment of National Guard units from other states – was illegal, but that ruling has been stayed while an appeal is pending.

Condolences for Beckstrom poured in from West Virginia’s congressional delegation on Capitol Hill Thursday night, as well as continued well-wishes for Wolfe as he continues in critical condition.

“I’m absolutely devastated to learn that Sarah Beckstrom passed away today after suffering a mortal wound in yesterday’s terrorist attack in Washington, D.C.,” said U.S. Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va. “Cathy and I are heartbroken beyond words. Our prayers are with her family, friends, and fellow guardsmen during an incredibly difficult Thanksgiving Day.

“We are also lifting up Andrew Wolfe in prayer as he continues his journey to recovery,” Justice continued. “West Virginians always show up for one another, and today it’s our turn to show up for our service members as they mourn this terrible loss.”

“I am heartbroken to learn that one of our own, Sarah Beckstrom, has tragically passed away following yesterday’s horrific attack in D.C.,” said U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va. “This is a devastating loss for her family, her fellow Guardsmen, and for our entire state. West Virginians proudly stand behind our men and women in uniform, and tonight we mourn alongside those who loved and served with Sarah.

“I am continuing to stay in close contact with the West Virginia National Guard and law enforcement as they work to support the second Guardsman, Andrew Wolfe, who remains under medical care,” Capito continued. “Charlie and I are praying for his recovery, and for everyone affected by this senseless violence.”

“America lost the best of us tonight,” said U.S. Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va. “I am so deeply saddened to hear that Sarah Beckstrom has passed away. Please continue to pray for her family and her fellow West Virginia National Guard member Andrew Wolfe, who is still in critical condition. Please give the family space to grieve. This attack will be met with a response, but now is the time to mourn Sarah and respect the privacy of her family.”

“Absolutely devastated to learn that Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, of Summersville, WV, has died,” said U.S. Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va. “She was a patriot who chose to serve her community and her nation and, in the end, gave the last full measure of devotion. Mina and I are praying for the repose of her soul, and for peace that surpasses all understanding for her family, friends, and everyone who knew and loved her. Eternal rest grant unto her, o Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon her.”

Steven Allen Adams can be reached at sadams@newsandsentinel.com