National Guardsman Dies After DC Attack

Sarah Beckstrom, one of the West Virginia National Guard members shot in a cowardly ambush by an Afghan refugee Wednesday, has died.

President Trump announced the passing of the 20-year-old during a Thanksgiving evening call to half a dozen military units to mark the holiday.

“She’s just passed away. She’s no longer with us. She’s looking down at us right now,” a somber Trump told the service members. “Incredible person, outstanding in every single way.”

“Just horrible.”

Beckstrom had been listed in critical condition after being shot in the chest and the head while standing guard in Washington, DC.

She was rushed into emergency surgery following the alleged terror attack, but her prognosis remained bleak.

Her father was certain Beckstrom would succumb to her wounds when reached by The New York Times on Thanksgiving Day.

“I’m holding her hand right now,” Gary Beckstrom said.

“She has a mortal wound. It’s not going to be a recovery.”

US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro previously announced plans to pursue first-degree murder charges against suspect Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, if one of the two National Guard troops he allegedly shot died from their wounds.

The suspect was taken down by a third National Guard member who used a pocket knife against him while a fourth opened fire.

Lakanwal, who was taken to the hospital, is already facing at least three counts of assault with intent to kill and criminal possession of a weapon. Those counts carry up to 15 years behind bars.

Attorney General Pam Bondi has declared that prosecutors will pursue the death penalty against Lakanwal.

“Devastated. Please pray for Sarah. Pray for her family,” Bondi posted on X after Beckstrom’s death. “America will never forget her courage. There WILL BE JUSTICE for Sarah. Continue to pray for Andrew. Thank you to President Trump — the death penalty is back.”

National Guardman Andrew Wolfe, 24, was also shot in the attack. Like Beckstrom, Wolfe was rushed into emergency surgery and is still hospitalized.

Wolfe is currently “fighting for his life,” Trump explained.

“Hopefully, we’ll get better news with respect to him,” he added. “And the monster that did this is also in serious condition, but we won’t even talk about him.”

The pair had been sworn in for their duties just 24 hours earlier, according to US Attorney Jeanine Pirro.

Beckstrom had volunteered to work the holiday shifts so that others could spend Thanksgiving at home, according to Bondi.

“She volunteered to be there on Thanksgiving — working today — she volunteered, as did many of those guardsmen and women, so other people could be home with their families,” Bondi said Thursday morning.

Lakanwal allegedly ambushed the two National Guard members just a few blocks from the White House. He had been lying in wait before opening fire with a .357 Smith and Wesson revolver.

He was shot by return fire from other guard members.

His motive is not yet clear, but authorities are probing it as a targeted terrorist attack.

According to Pirro, Lakanwal drove across the country to carry out horror, leaving his home in Bellingham, Washington, which he shares with his wife and five children.

Lakanwal was a member of the Afghan Army stationed in Kandahar, where he supported US Special Forces in the region.