The National Guard members who were shot in Washington DC on Wednesday have been identified as Sarah Backstrom, aged 20, and Andrew Wolfe, aged 24. During a press conference on Thursday, US Attorney Jeanine Pirro disclosed that both individuals are in critical condition. Pirro mentioned that the two soldiers from West Virginia were sworn in under President Donald Trump’s executive order to enhance security in the district less than 24 hours before the shooting incident.
Pirro praised Backstrom and Wolfe for their selfless dedication to duty, highlighting how they willingly put themselves at risk for strangers, emphasizing the increasing dangers faced by law enforcement personnel.
The suspect responsible for the attack has been identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal. The incident took place around 2:15 pm ET on Wednesday. Lakanwal, an Afghan national, arrived in the US in September 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, a program initiated during the Biden administration to safeguard vulnerable Afghans post the US military exit from Afghanistan.
Following the attack, President Trump condemned the violence, labeling it as an “act of terror” and a “heinous assault.” Subsequently, US Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the suspension of all immigration case processing for Afghan immigrants indefinitely pending further assessment.
Pirro revealed that Lakanwal traveled from Bellingham, Washington, to Washington DC, where he opened fire on the National Guard members using a .357 revolver. Lakanwal sustained injuries during the confrontation and is currently hospitalized. Pirro stated that he will face charges including three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a violent crime.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi informed Fox News that both victims had undergone surgery and that charges would be based on their recovery prospects. Bondi refrained from disclosing Backstrom’s name, referring to her as a “young woman” who volunteered to serve in the capital during the Thanksgiving holiday.
A representative from Musselman High School confirmed Wolfe as one of the injured National Guardsmen in a post on Facebook. The school community expressed deep sorrow over the incident and requested thoughts and prayers for Wolfe, his family, and all affected individuals.
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