'Ambushed' National Guard members identified; Afghan national in custody

WASHINGTON - On Wednesday afternoon, two National Guard members from West Virginia were shot in what authorities called an ambush as they were patrolling D.C.'s streets — just blocks away from the White House. 

Thursday, President Donald Trump shared that Sarah Beckstrom, 20, had passed away and Andrew Wolfe, 24, was still fighting for his life. 

READ MORE: DC shooting: 2 National Guard members critical, terrorism suspected

Follow below for live updates:

6:58 p.m. ET: President Donald Trump, during a Thanksgiving holiday call with service members on Thursday, revealed that Sarah Beckstrom, one of two National Guard members who were shot in D.C. on Wednesday, has died, 

Gov. Patrick Morrisey also confirmed the news on his X account. 

The second victim, Andrew Wolfe, is still "fighting for his life," Trump said, .

2:14 p.m. ET: West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey said in a statement provided to FOX 5 D.C. that he arrived in Washington, D.C. last night to receive real-time updates on the situation. He visited the injured guard members, their families and the troops on the ground. The governor also discussed the situation with President Trump.

Morrisey is also set to meet later today with West Virginia troops and coordinate with federal officials.

"These two Guardsmen voluntarily stepped up and risked everything for our state and nation," he said. 

What we know about the suspect

9:40 a.m. ET: Pirro and Patel provided more information on Rahmanullah Lakanwal, said to be a 29-year-old Afghan who entered the United States under President Biden's program to re-home allies from Afghanistan. He lived in Bellingham, Washington, with a wife and five children. 

"There is confirmation now that the subject had a relationship in Afghanistan with partner forces," Patel said. "We are fully investigating that aspect of his background as well, to include any known associates that are either overseas or here in the United States of America."

Agents in Washington state are searching his home and interviewing his family. 

Lakanwal allegedly drove from Washington to D.C. with the intention of carrying out the attack. He's currently charged with three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, though those charges will be upgraded if either of the victims dies.

How the attack unfolded

9:25 a.m. ET: The attack happened around 2:15 p.m. near 17th and I Streets, which is in the northwest section of the District not far from the Farragut West Metro station. Pirro said a lone gunman, armed with a .357 Smith and Wesson revolver, opened fire "without provocation, ambush-style." 

One guard member was struck and fell to the ground; the gunman leaned over and shot them again. A second guard member was struck several times. 

Other guard members at the scene responded with gunfire, wounding the suspect. He was taken to a local hospital under heavy guard. His condition was not immediately clear.

Victims identified

9:15 a.m. ET: According to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, the two victims were

• Sarah Beckstrom, 20
• Andrew Wolfe, 24

Both were with the West Virginia National Guard. 

"These are dedicated service members who were performing their duties in service to our nation, and they are currently in critical condition," Pirro said. "They have undergone surgery. We pray for their well-being as they continue to be cared for in the best possible way."

According to a press release from the West Virginia National Guard, Wolfe entered service in 2019 and Beckstrom entered service in 2023.

Both guard members had been on Task Force orders in the district since the beginning of the federal takeover in August.

"They were shot less than 24 hours after they were deputized to maintain their status to conduct presence patrols," according to a statement from the Joint D.C. Task Force, Public Affairs division. 

Guard members attacked

The backstory:

The two guard members were critically injured in a shooting near the White House on Wednesday afternoon, described as a targeted attack by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. 

The incident is being investigated as a possible act of terrorism, according to FOX News.  

The suspect, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is believed to have entered the U.S. legally in September 2021 following the United States' withdrawal from Afghanistan. 

FOX News reports that Lakanwal had worked with the CIA. He is the only suspected gunman, who was also shot and taken to the hospital. 

Emergency vehicles, the Joint D.C. Task Force and the Washington Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives responded to the incident. The FBI is also assisting in the investigation. 

What's next:

The Trump administration quickly ordered 500 more National Guard members to Washington following the shooting. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said President Donald Trump asked him to send the extra troops shortly after the incident occurred. 

The National Guard's presence in Washington has been a contentious issue, with more than 300 West Virginia National Guard members deployed in August. Recently, about 160 volunteered to extend their deployment while others returned to West Virginia. 

Last week, a federal judge ordered an end to the deployment but also put her order on hold for 21 days to allow the Trump administration time to either remove the troops or appeal the decision.

Crime and Public SafetyDonald J. TrumpWashington, D.C.