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Sarah Beckstrom, one of the West Virginia National Guard members shot in a cowardly ambush by an Afghan refugee Wednesday, has died.

The 20-year-old’s grieving father confirmed she died of her injuries in a heartwrenching Facebook post Thursday.

“My baby girl has passed to glory. If I don’t talk to you don’t be offend[ed] this has been a horrible tragedy,” Gary Beckstrom posted just after 6 p.m.


  Sarah Beckstrom succumbed to her injuries after she was shot by a suspected terrorist. Facebook / Sarah Beckstrom Sarah Beckstrom succumbed to her injuries after she was shot by a suspected terrorist. Facebook / Sarah Beckstrom

President Trump also announced the young Guard member’s passing during a Thanksgiving evening call to half a dozen military units to mark the holiday.

“She’s just passed away. She’s no longer with us. She’s looking down at us right now,” a somber Trump told the service members. “Incredible person, outstanding in every single way.”

“Just horrible.”

The White House confirmed that Trump spoke with Beckstrom’s parents Thursday night.

Beckstrom had been listed in critical condition after being shot in the chest and the head while standing guard in Washington, DC.

She was rushed into emergency surgery following the alleged terror attack, but her prognosis remained bleak.


  Gary Beckstrom called his daughter’s wound “mortal” before she died. Facebook / Gary Beckstrom Gary Beckstrom called his daughter’s wound “mortal” before she died. Facebook / Gary Beckstrom

  President Trump announced Beckstrom’s death to the nation during a Thanskgiving address. REUTERS President Trump announced Beckstrom’s death to the nation during a Thanskgiving address. REUTERS

Her father was certain Beckstrom would succumb to her wounds when reached by The New York Times earlier Thanksgiving Day.

“I’m holding her hand right now,” he said.

Follow the latest on the National Guard shooting in Washington, DC:

“She has a mortal wound. It’s not going to be a recovery.”

His daughter had volunteered to work the holiday shifts so that others could spend Thanksgiving at home, according to Attorney General Pam Bondi.


  Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe were both shot near the Farragut West Metro Station in Northwest DC. Elizabeth Gomes via Storyful Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe were both shot near the Farragut West Metro Station in Northwest DC. Elizabeth Gomes via Storyful

“She volunteered to be there on Thanksgiving — working today — she volunteered, as did many of those guardsmen and women, so other people could be home with their families,” Bondi said Thursday morning.

US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro previously announced plans to pursue first-degree murder charges against suspect Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, if one of the two National Guard troops he allegedly shot died from their wounds. 

Lakanwal was taken down by a third National Guard member who used a pocket knife against him while a fourth opened fire. 


  The shooter is expected to face first-degree murder charges. REUTERS The shooter is expected to face first-degree murder charges. REUTERS

The Afghan national, who was taken to the hospital, is already facing at least three counts of assault with intent to kill and criminal possession of a weapon. Those counts carry up to 15 years behind bars. 

Bondi has declared that prosecutors will pursue the death penalty against Lakanwal. 

“Devastated. Please pray for Sarah. Pray for her family,” Bondi posted on X after Beckstrom’s death. “America will never forget her courage. There WILL BE JUSTICE for Sarah. Continue to pray for Andrew. Thank you to President Trump — the death penalty is back.”

National Guardman Andrew Wolfe, 24, was also shot in the attack. Like Beckstrom, Wolfe was rushed into emergency surgery and is still hospitalized.

Wolfe is currently “fighting for his life,” Trump explained.


  Cops said Rahmanullah Lakanwal carried out the attack after driving across the country. AP Cops said Rahmanullah Lakanwal carried out the attack after driving across the country. AP

“Hopefully, we’ll get better news with respect to him,” he added. “And the monster that did this is also in serious condition, but we won’t even talk about him.”

The pair had been sworn in for their duties just 24 hours earlier, according to US Attorney Jeanine Pirro.

Lakanwal allegedly ambushed the two National Guard members just a few blocks from the White House. He had been lying in wait before opening fire with a .357 Smith and Wesson revolver.

He was shot by return fire from other guard members.


  A vehicle with the flag of Washington, D.C., believed to be carrying the body of slain West Virginia National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom as her body is transferred from Medstar Washington Hospital Center, on Nov. 27, 2025. REUTERS A vehicle with the flag of Washington, D.C., believed to be carrying the body of slain West Virginia National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom as her body is transferred from Medstar Washington Hospital Center, on Nov. 27, 2025. REUTERS

His motive is not yet clear, but authorities are probing it as a targeted terrorist attack.

According to Pirro, Lakanwal drove across the country to carry out horror, leaving his home in Bellingham, Washington, which he shares with his wife and five children.

Lakanwal was a member of the Afghan Army stationed in Kandahar, where he supported US Special Forces in the region.

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