National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom dies after shooting near White House

Sarah Beckstrom, one of the National Guard members shot in Washington, DC, on Wednesday (November 26), has died.

President Donald Trump confirmed the news in a Thanksgiving call to service members on Thursday (November 27), as he said: “Sarah Beckstrom of West Virginia, one of the guardsmen that we’re talking about, highly respected, young, magnificent person, started service in June of 2023 outstanding in every way. She’s just passed away.”

Both US Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and US Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe were called to the nation’s capital in August as part of Trump’s crackdown on crime.

However, on the eve of Thanksgiving, both officers were shot in the line of duty, just blocks away from the White House itself.

After undergoing surgery, Beckstrom, 20, and Wolfe, 24, remained in critical condition with their loved ones and local officials urging members of the public to keep them in their prayers.

National Guard members were shot near the White House on Wednesday (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Sadly, it has now emerged that Beckstrom succumbed to her injuries and passed away with her family by her side.

Her father was next to her on Thanksgiving as he remained with her in her final hours, according to The New York Times.

“I’m holding her hand right now,” Gary Beckstrom told the Times by phone. “She has a mortal wound. It’s not going to be a recovery.”

Beckstrom, of Summersville, West Virginia, first began her service on June 26, 2023, and was assigned to the 863rd Military Police Company, 111th Engineer Brigade, West Virginia Army National Guard.

Andrew Wolfe remains in critical condition (Dept of Justice)

A popular and caring member of the National Guard, Beckstrom had even volunteered to work over the holiday period.

“She volunteered, as did many of those guardsmen and women, so other people could be home with their families, yet now their families are in hospital rooms with them while they are fighting for their lives,” Attorney General Pam Bondi told Fox News earlier on Thursday.

It is understood that US Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe remains in critical condition in hospital.

A single suspect, 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, remains in police custody.