New video footage has emerged depicting the horrific shooting that occurred near the White House on Wednesday, November 26, an incident that has now tragically resulted in the death of one National Guard member.
Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, succumbed to her injuries after reportedly being shot in the chest and head, according to statements from her family. The second victim, Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in critical condition after undergoing surgery and is “still fighting for his life,” President Donald Trump confirmed.
Details of the Ambush
The attack, described as “targeted” and an “ambush-style” assault by U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, was carried out by Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national.
- The Weapon: Pirro confirmed that Lakanwal used a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver in the attack.
- The Footage: Video, including footage released by The Wall Street Journal, shows a person in military fatigues running and taking cover, while another individual appears to shoot from behind cover. Loud popping sounds—believed to be gunfire—can be heard, and the video appears to briefly show someone on the ground. Screengrabs circulating online reportedly show the suspect, dressed in black and holding a gun.
- The Attack: Authorities say Lakanwal drove over 2,500 miles from Bellingham, Washington, to D.C. to carry out the attack. Pirro stated that the gunman opened fire without warning, shot the first Guard member twice, and then fired multiple times at the second.
The Suspect’s Background and Charges
Lakanwal was apprehended after other Guard members at the scene engaged him, with one reportedly stabbing him with a pocketknife and another shooting him multiple times.
- Prior Association: Lakanwal entered the U.S. in 2021 via the Operation Allies Welcome program. It was confirmed by the CIA Director, John Ratcliffe, that Lakanwal had previously worked with the U.S. government, including the CIA, as a member of a partner force in Kandahar. Sources suggest he was part of one of the CIA-backed Afghan “Zero Units” involved in counterterrorism.
- Motive and Charges: While the motive remains officially unknown, investigators are exploring the possibility that Lakanwal suffered from paranoia and mental health challenges and believed authorities sought to deport him. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced that Lakanwal will face multiple charges, including three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed. She promised that if the victims do not survive, the charges will be increased to murder in the first degree. The FBI is treating the case as a potential act of terrorism.
Political Fallout
President Donald Trump quickly seized on the incident to criticize the vetting process under the previous administration, despite the suspect’s asylum application being approved under the current government. Trump called the atrocity a reminder that the U.S. must have “full control over the people that enter and remain in our country. For the most part, we don’t want them.”