West Virginia – Communities are grieving the recent shooting of two West Virginia National Guard members in the nation’s capital, one of whom died this past weekend.
Sarah Beckstrom of Webster Springs, who passed away from her injuries, was 20 years old. Twenty-four-year-old Andrew Wolfe of Martinsburg remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Brigadier General Leland Blanchard, currently the interim commanding general of the District of Columbia National Guard, said the National Guard remains committed to its directive.
“They are, in fact, America’s best,” said Blanchard. “I’m proud of each and every one of them. I pray for each and every one of them today, and in particular for these two young service members who are willing to go above and beyond and pay whatever price our nation asked of them.”
A federal judge recently ruled the Trump administration’s deployment of more than 2,000 National Guard troops in Washington, DC this past summer – meant to improve safety on the streets – was against the law.
There are around 160 West Virginia National Guard members remaining in DC.
The Trump administration has paused immigration from Afghan nationals in response to the shooting. FBI Director Kash Patel said in a news conference that the shooting is being investigated as an act of terrorism.
“We will not stop until we interview anyone and everyone associated with the subject, the house, and every piece of his life,” said Patel. “There’s also subject interviews, relations conducted in San Diego pursuant to our ongoing investigation.”
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old man from Afghanistan who allegedly shot the National Guard members, has been charged with first-degree murder. Lakanwal worked in a special Afghan Army unit supported by the CIA.
