On November 26, 2025, two West Virginia National Guard members, Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe, were shot in a targeted ambush near the White House, leaving them in critical condition. The suspect, Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, drove cross-country and faces assault charges. Officials probe terrorism links amid Trump’s Guard deployment controversy. Stay updated on victim status, suspect background, and federal response in this evolving D.C. security incident.

Two West Virginia National Guard members were critically wounded in a brazen shooting near the White House on November 26, 2025, in what authorities described as a targeted ambush. The incident, unfolding amid a controversial federal deployment of troops to the capital, has heightened tensions over urban security measures. As of November 27, the victims remain hospitalized, the suspect is in custody, and investigators are exploring possible terrorism ties.

The Incident: Timeline and Location Details

The attack occurred around 2:15 p.m. ET near the Farragut West Metro station at 17th Street and I Street NW, just two blocks from the White House in downtown Washington. According to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, the suspect approached the uniformed guardsmen without provocation, firing 10 to 15 shots from a revolver. One victim was struck first and fell, after which the shooter leaned over and fired again at point-blank range before targeting the second.

Witnesses, including pedestrian Leila Christopher, reported chaos as National Guard members shouted warnings like “Run!” to bystanders. Emma McDonald described seeing one victim carried away on a stretcher with severe head trauma and an automated chest compression device. The scene was secured by 2:58 p.m., with the suspect wounded in the ensuing exchange and taken into custody.

Victims: Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe

The victims were identified on November 27 as Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, both from the West Virginia National Guard. Beckstrom, a young enlistee, was described by her father in a New York Times interview as having a “mortal wound” and not expected to recover, though official updates confirm both remain in critical condition at separate hospitals.

• Beckstrom: Enlisted recently; family noted her service as a source of pride amid the deployment.
• Wolfe: More experienced guardsman; treated for multiple gunshot wounds.
• Deployment Context: Part of a 2,188-strong contingent from states like West Virginia, South Carolina, and Ohio, assigned to patrol duties under Joint Task Force-DC.

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey initially reported fatalities in a now-deleted X post but corrected to critical condition based on conflicting early reports.

Suspect: Rahmanullah Lakanwal’s Background and Actions

Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, an Afghan national residing in Washington state, was identified by the Department of Homeland Security as the lone suspect. He immigrated to the U.S. during the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, applied for asylum in 2024—granted by the Trump administration in April 2025—and had no prior criminal history. Authorities say he drove across the country from Washington state specifically to target National Guard members in D.C., though he is not cooperating and a motive remains unclear.

Lakanwal, who reportedly served in a CIA-backed unit in Afghanistan, faces federal charges of assault with intent to kill. He was critically wounded during the shootout and is hospitalized under guard. Pirro emphasized the premeditated nature: “He came to our nation’s capital with the intended target.”

Investigation: Terrorism Probe and Charges

The FBI, led by Director Kash Patel, is investigating the shooting as a possible act of terrorism, with agents working through Thanksgiving. Officials believe Lakanwal acted alone, but they’re examining digital footprints and travel records for radicalization indicators. No manifesto or claims have surfaced.

At a November 27 press conference with Mayor Muriel Bowser and Metropolitan Police Executive Assistant Chief Jeffery Carroll, authorities confirmed the “targeted” nature, praising the rapid response that prevented further casualties. The suspect faces additional local charges, with federal prosecutors eyeing enhancements if terror links solidify.

Political Backdrop: Trump’s Deployment and Reactions

The shooting ties directly to President Trump’s August 2025 order deploying National Guard units to D.C. for a crime and immigration crackdown, now expanded to other cities. A federal judge ruled the deployment likely illegal last week, suspending it temporarily until December 11—prompting an emergency Trump administration appeal post-incident.

Trump, from his Florida resort, called it “an act of evil, an act of hatred and an act of terror” in a prerecorded address, ordering 500 more troops to D.C. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth echoed the sentiment, while Vice President-elect JD Vance labeled the guardsmen “the sword and shield of the United States.” Mayor Bowser, a critic of the deployment, reiterated it was targeted but urged against politicization. Former President Barack Obama condemned the violence on social media: “Violence has no place in America.”

Social media buzz includes prayers from groups like the Reform Party and debates over the deployment’s role, with some X users linking it to crime reductions in D.C.

Latest Updates and Broader Implications

As of November 27 afternoon, both victims are stable but critical, with Beckstrom’s family voicing grave concerns. The suspect’s condition has not been detailed beyond custody. Defense Secretary Hegseth confirmed no changes to ongoing patrols, but the incident has reignited debates on military involvement in domestic policing.

• Security Boost: Additional 500 Guard troops en route.
• Public Safety: D.C. crime down 15% since August deployment, per officials.
• Legal Hurdles: Federal appeal seeks to block suspension ruling.

This tragic event underscores vulnerabilities in high-profile deployments, with investigators vowing swift justice. For ongoing coverage, see NBC News live updates.

Track reactions on X.