The father of West Virginia National Guard Spc. Sarah Beckstrom announced her death in an emotional message Thursday, one day after a shooting in Washington, D.C., left her fatally wounded and another Guardsman seriously injured.
According to Fox News, Gary Beckstrom shared the news on Facebook, writing, “My baby girl has passed to glory. If I don’t talk to you don’t be offend [sic] this has been a horrible tragedy.”
His message marked the first public confirmation from the family following the attack.
Authorities identified Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal as the suspect in the shooting, which took place on Wednesday near the Farragut Square Metro Station. Lakanwal was brought into the United States under Operation Allies Welcome in 2021.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem addressed the suspect’s immigration status in a post on X, saying, “The suspect who shot our brave National Guardsmen is an Afghan national who was one of the many unvetted, mass paroled into the United States under Operation Allies Welcome on September 8, 2021, under the Biden Administration.”
President Donald Trump also spoke about the incident Thursday, calling the suspect a “monster” and noting that he remained “in serious condition.”
Trump confirmed Beckstrom’s passing and said the surviving victim, U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, was “fighting for his life.”
A press release issued Thursday provided additional details about the two service members.
“At approximately 2:15 p.m., on November 26, 2025, U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, assigned to the Force Support Squadron, 167th Airlift Wing, West Virginia Air National Guard, and U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, assigned to the 863rd Military Police Company, 111th Engineer Brigade, West Virginia Army National Guard, were wounded in a shooting near the Farragut Square Metro Station in Washington, D.C.”
Outside Wolfe’s family home, a man asked for privacy when approached by a reporter. “All we need right now are prayers for my son,” he said, according to the New York Times.
The investigation into the attack remains ongoing.
