National Guard member shot near White House dies

National Guard member shot near White House dies

November 28, 2025/
Spread the love

By Kim Jarrett
The Center Square

One of the National Guard members shot near the White House on Wednesday died from her injuries, President Donald Trump said.

U.S. Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old from West Virginia, died from her injuries. Staff Sgt Andrew Wolfe, 24, also of West Virginia, remains in critical condition.

Beckstrom started serving in the National Guard in June 2023 and was “outstanding in every single way, in every department,” Trump said.

The suspected gunman, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, is an Afghan national who entered the country in 2021 under former President Joe Biden’s Operation Allies Welcome, according to the FBI.

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed Lakanwal had a “relationship in Afghanistan with partner forces.” Patel said in a Thanksgiving Day news conference that the shooting is being investigated as an act of terrorism. Lakanwal was shot during the incident and is at an area hospital, officials said. The charges against him are expected to be upgraded now that one of the guard members has died.

Community Events

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Erik Menendez denied parole; brother appears before board

Erik Menendez denied parole; brother appears before board

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Lyle Menendez faced a California Board of Parole hearing Friday, after two commissioners Thursday evening denied parole to his younger brother Erik Menendez after a...
After cutting union contracts, VA redirects $45M to veterans

After cutting union contracts, VA redirects $45M to veterans

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs officials announced Friday that the agency is redirecting nearly $45 million from public union costs to care for veterans. "VA...
Illinois quick hits: Pritzker signs abortion bills; Operation Purple Heart returns medals

Illinois quick hits: Pritzker signs abortion bills; Operation Purple Heart returns medals

By The Center SquareThe Center Square Pritzker signs abortion bills Two bills Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted Friday impact access to abortion procedures. House Bill 3637 shields health care providers from...
WATCH: IL Department of Human Services’ adverse audit draws legislators’ ire

WATCH: IL Department of Human Services’ adverse audit draws legislators’ ire

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A recent adverse audit of the Illinois Department of Human Services is the worst audit seen by...
Illinois prisons to publish annual data on contraband, safety and overdoses

Illinois prisons to publish annual data on contraband, safety and overdoses

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new law requires the Illinois Department of Corrections to publish annual data on contraband, substance...

WATCH: Trump says ‘dangerous’ Chicago next after addressing crime in D.C.

By Greg BishopThe Center Square President Donald Trump says Chicago is next on his list of cities to focus on cleaning up crime. In December, after Trump was elected to...
Gallego, others question Meta on policies for kids using AI

Gallego, others question Meta on policies for kids using AI

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Arizona, along with nine other senators, wrote a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg this week inquiring about the company’s policies...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lincoln-Way District 210 Board of Education for August 18, 2025

The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education reviewed a tentative $162.5 million budget for the 2025-2026 school year during its meeting on Monday. The budget projects a...
Commission enacted to aid young IL farmers facing challenges

Commission enacted to aid young IL farmers facing challenges

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted a law launching the Farmland Transition Commission, a lifeline for young farmers...
Appeals court: Serious Chicago police disciplinary hearings must be public

Appeals court: Serious Chicago police disciplinary hearings must be public

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A panel of appellate court judges has ruled Chicago police officers facing serious misconduct allegations must...
WATCH: IL child welfare interns debate heats up; state financial audit released

WATCH: IL child welfare interns debate heats up; state financial audit released

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop talks live with...
Georgia ICE arrests up 367 percent from 2021, making for 'safer streets, open jobs

Georgia ICE arrests up 367 percent from 2021, making for ‘safer streets, open jobs

By Tate MillerThe Center Square U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests surged by 367% in Georgia this year, with 4,500 illegal aliens arrested in the state between January 20 and...
Illinois quick hits: CUB challenges Ameren rate hike plan

Illinois quick hits: CUB challenges Ameren rate hike plan

By The Center SquareThe Center Square Disaster proclaimed in three counties A disaster proclamation has been issued for Cook, Jersey and Calhoun counties after severe weather last month. Gov. J.B....
Experts call for probe after Microsoft left out China ties in Pentagon security plan

Experts call for probe after Microsoft left out China ties in Pentagon security plan

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square Microsoft is facing renewed calls for a congressional investigation after ProPublica revealed the company omitted key details about its use of China-based engineers in a...
FBI raids the home of John Bolton

FBI raids the home of John Bolton

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The Maryland home of former UN Ambassador John Bolton has been raided by the FBI, according to multiple reports. FBI Director Kash Patel posted a...