National Guard Shooting in Washington, D.C.: Victims Identified as Motive Remains Unclear
Authorities have released the identities of the two West Virginia National Guard members critically wounded in a shocking daylight shooting near the White House. The victims have been identified as 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, both of whom remain hospitalized in critical condition, according to U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro.
Pirro confirmed that both Guard members underwent emergency surgery following the violent attack, which stunned officials and raised nationwide concerns about security in the nation’s capital.
Suspect Identified — Motive Still Unknown
While investigators continue piecing together the events leading up to the shooting, the motive remains undetermined. Pirro revealed that the suspected gunman is a 29-year-old Afghan national who previously worked with the CIA and other U.S. government agencies. The suspect was shot by another Guard member during the incident and is currently under heavy federal supervision at a local hospital.
The suspect is expected to face serious charges, including:
- Three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed
- Possession of a firearm during a violent crime
Pirro added that if either Guard member succumbs to their injuries, the charges will escalate to first-degree murder. President Trump has publicly called for the death penalty in all D.C. murder cases.
Officials React to the Attack
Brig. Gen. Leland Blanchard, commanding general of the D.C. National Guard, described the attack as a tragic moment that will have lasting effects on the victims and their families.
“Regardless of the outcome, their lives and their families’ lives have been changed forever because one person decided to do this horrific and evil thing,” Blanchard said.
Pirro noted that Beckstrom and Wolfe had been “sworn in less than 24 hours” before the attack, heightening the tragedy of the situation.
What Happened?
The shooting occurred at approximately 2:15 p.m. ET near a Metro station just minutes from the White House. President Trump condemned the attack, calling it an act of “evil,” “hatred” and “terror.”
Administration Moves to Reinforce Security
Following the shooting, the administration filed an emergency motion seeking to halt a federal judge’s ruling that deemed the president’s deployment of National Guard troops in D.C. unlawful.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that President Trump intends to deploy an additional 500 National Guard members to the district. An Army official confirmed the request and said the military will “rapidly execute” the directive.
The investigation is ongoing as authorities search for answers regarding the motive behind the targeted attack.
