Two National Guardsmen, who were shot in Washington DC and are now in critical condition, have been identified as Andrew Wolfe, aged 24, and Sarah Backstrom, aged 20, in what Donald Trump described as an “act of terror”. The alleged shooter, identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the US in 2021.
Following Trump’s condemnation of the attack, US Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the suspension of all immigration cases related to Afghan immigrants until further review.
West Virginia National Guard provided more details about the injured Guard members. Sarah Beckstrom, aged 20, and Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, aged 24, were both deployed in Washington DC since August. Beckstrom joined the Guard on June 26, 2023, while Wolfe enlisted on February 5, 2019.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi expressed intentions to pursue the death penalty for the alleged shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who is also hospitalized. Bondi stated that the suspect’s fate would be determined based on the victims’ prognosis.
Andrew Wolfe, one of the National Guardsmen shot in Washington, is a 24-year-old member of the West Virginia National Guard currently in critical condition after undergoing surgery.
The suspected shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, drove from Bellingham, Washington, to carry out the attack near the White House, as reported by US Attorney for DC Jeanine Pirro.
Lakanwal, admitted to the US under Operation Allies Welcome, applied for asylum in 2024 and was granted it earlier this year. Over 190,000 Afghans have resettled in the US under this program.
The shooting prompted a temporary pause in incoming flights at Reagan Washington National Airport due to ongoing law enforcement activities in response to the incident. Departing flights were unaffected, and operations have resumed.
House Speaker Mike Johnson called for prayers for the injured Guardsmen and commended law enforcement for their swift actions in response to the tragic events in Washington DC.
The investigation into the targeted shooting, which left the two National Guard members critically injured, is ongoing. Law enforcement officials are yet to determine the motive and weapon used in the attack.
Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed that the injured Guardsmen are in critical condition, and FBI Director Kash Patel provided updates on their medical treatment during a press conference.
The incident has reignited debates surrounding the presence of the National Guard in Washington DC, with over 300 West Virginia National Guard members deployed to the capital in August.