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

New-Lenox-School-122.2

New Lenox D122 Board Approves Tentative Budget, Sets September Public Hearing

The New Lenox School District 122 Board of Education has approved a tentative budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, maintaining its long-standing practice of balanced budgets funded by existing cash...
New-Lenox-Township-Food-Pantry

New Lenox Township Food Pantry Reports Record Demand in May

NEW LENOX – The New Lenox Township Food Pantry experienced a record level of need in May, serving 431 families and 1,107 individuals, according to a report at the June...
NL-VB-July-28

New Lenox to Dedicate Street Honoring Pope Leo XIV, Citing Deep Local Ties

NEW LENOX – The Village of New Lenox is celebrating its unique connection to the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead the Roman Catholic Church, by...
New-Lenox-School-122.7

D122 Renews Insurance Policies for Nearly $490,000

The New Lenox School District 122 Board of Education has renewed its property/casualty and worker's compensation insurance policies for the 2025-2026 school year, with total costs amounting to nearly $490,000....
new-lenox-township.2

New Lenox Township Addresses Cemetery Needs, Appoints New Liaison

NEW LENOX – New Lenox Township is turning its attention to the care and potential expansion of its cemeteries, an effort that will be spearheaded by a newly elected trustee....
New-Lenox-Village-Board.2

New Lenox Police Chief Louis Alessandrini Retires; Sgt. David Nykiel Promoted in Leadership Transition

NEW LENOX – The New Lenox Police Department is undergoing a significant leadership transition as Police Chief Louis Alessandrini retires after 20 years with the village, celebrated with an emotional...
Screenshot-2025-08-13-at-2.15.28-PM

Monee to Receive $250,000 Donation in Solar Project Agreement

Article Summary: The Village of Monee will receive a $250,000 donation from TPE IL W1202, LLC, after the Village Board authorized a community benefit agreement for a planned 5-megawatt solar...
new-lenox-park-district.6

New Lenox Park District Board Approves 2025-2026 Budget

NEW LENOX – The New Lenox Community Park District Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the budget and appropriation ordinance for the 2025-2026 fiscal year during its regular meeting on June...
frankfort fire district graphic logo.1

Frankfort Fire District to Purchase Two Used Engines to Address Fleet Gap, Budget Constraints

Article Summary: The Frankfort Fire Protection District is moving forward with a plan to purchase two used fire engines for a combined total of $635,000, a strategic move to bolster...
New-Lenox-School-122.6

Staffing Shortage Leads D122 to Renew Contract for School Psychologist

Facing a persistent staffing shortage for a critical role, the New Lenox School District 122 Board of Education has renewed its contract with an outside agency to provide a school...
Meeting-Briefs

Meeting Summary: New Lenox Township for June 12, 2025

At its June 12 meeting, the New Lenox Township Board of Trustees heard reports on rising demand for community services, discussed ongoing maintenance projects, and assigned responsibilities to its newly...
New-Lenox-Village-Board.4

New Lenox Approves Major Residential Subdivision, Paves Way for Route 6 Commercial Growth

NEW LENOX – The Village Board took decisive action on two major developments Monday, giving final approval to a 55-lot residential subdivision for "empty nesters" and clearing a key hurdle...
New-Lenox-Sharons-Bay-Park

Contractor Selected for Sharon’s Bay Park Redevelopment

NEW LENOX – The New Lenox Community Park District is moving forward with plans to redevelop Sharon's Bay Park, having approved a contractor for the project at its Wednesday meeting....
New-Lenox-Sharons-Bay-Park

Contractor Selected for Sharon’s Bay Park Redevelopment

NEW LENOX – The New Lenox Community Park District is moving forward with plans to redevelop Sharon's Bay Park, having approved a contractor for the project at its Wednesday meeting....
New-Lenox-School-122.5

Handbook Changes at D122 Include Swapping PSAT for PreACT

Students in New Lenox School District 122 will see several changes in the upcoming school year, as the Board of Education approved updates to the 2025-2026 Parent/Student Handbook that affect...