The President of the United States, Donald Trump, confirmed this Thursday the death of Sarah Beckstrom, one of the two members of the National Guard shot on Wednesday next to the Farragut West subway station, just 500 meters from the White House. Beckstrom, 20 years old and a native of West Virginia, was part of the federal device that has reinforced security in the capital since August by presidential order. His partner, Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in critical condition, according to district attorney Jeanine Pirro.
Authorities identified the alleged perpetrator as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan citizen who lived with his wife and five children in Bellingham, Washington state. Pirro explained that Lakanwal drove across the country until he reached the capital, where he ambushed the two agents. According to his story, he first shot one of them, who fell to the ground, and did so again at point-blank range before opening fire on the second member of the patrol. Other troops reacted “immediately” and managed to subdue him after an intense exchange of gunfire. The wounded attacker remains in custody in a hospital.
The investigation was expanded this Thursday. Reuters reported that the FBI searched several homes linked to the suspect and that agents seized cellphones, laptops and tablets in a raid in Washington State. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that his teams have already questioned Lakanwal’s relatives and spoken to witnesses to the shooting. Patel described the events as “a heinous act of terrorism,” although he avoided pointing out a possible motive.
The trajectory of the alleged aggressor has ignited political debate in Washington. Patel and Pirro noted that Lakanwal worked in Afghanistan for a CIA-backed unit. Reuters added that he was part of one of the so-called “Zero Units”, a paramilitary body trained for covert operations during the war and later integrated into the Afghan intelligence services. According to the Department of Homeland Security, authorities transferred Lakanwal to the United States in 2021 as part of the Operation Allies Welcome program, which facilitated the arrival of thousands of Afghans who had collaborated with Washington and feared retaliation after the withdrawal.
The director of the CIA, John Ratcliffe, harshly criticized the decision that allowed his entry into the United States. “That person — and many others — should never have received permission,” he said in statements broadcast by Fox News. Pirro added that Lakanwal had a two-year temporary permit that had already expired and that he was in an irregular situation when he opened fire. Reuters also cited an official from the current Administration who confirmed that the suspect received asylum last April, already with Trump in the White House, and that he had no criminal record.
The attack has reopened the discussion about the deployment of the National Guard in cities governed by Democrats. Beckstrom and Wolfe belonged to the West Virginia unit and patrolled the area within the federal device ordered by Trump. After the shooting, the president ordered the immediate dispatch of another 500 troops, which will be added to the approximately 2,200 already deployed in the capital.
The event, which occurred on the eve of Thanksgiving, further tense the immigration debate. Sources from the Department of Homeland Security confirmed to Reuters that the Administration has ordered a review of all asylum cases approved under the previous Administration, as well as green cards granted to citizens of 19 countries. In addition, the Immigration Service immediately and indefinitely suspended the processing of applications related to Afghan nationals.
The Prosecutor’s Office announced that Lakanwal will face charges of assault with intent to kill and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Pirro explained that those charges could be expanded and that the suspect would face a first-degree murder charge if Wolfe does not survive. Attorney General Pam Bondi assured Fox News that she will ask for life imprisonment “at a minimum” and that she will request the death penalty if the two agents die.
Trump confirmed Beckstrom’s death in his first public address after the attack. “He was a young, magnificent and highly respected person… He has just died. He is no longer with us,” he said. The young woman’s father, Gary Beckstrom, explained to the New York Times that the family no longer has hope for recovery. “I’m holding his hand right now,” he told the newspaper.
The investigation continues with a strictly anti-terrorism focus. Pirro and Patel insist that the attacker acted alone, while analyzing his transcontinental movement, his previous military career and the way in which he obtained the .357 Magnum revolver with which he committed the attack.
