National Guard member shot near White House dies

National Guard member shot near White House dies

November 28, 2025/
Spread the love

By Kim Jarrett
The Center Square

One of the National Guard members shot near the White House on Wednesday died from her injuries, President Donald Trump said.

U.S. Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old from West Virginia, died from her injuries. Staff Sgt Andrew Wolfe, 24, also of West Virginia, remains in critical condition.

Beckstrom started serving in the National Guard in June 2023 and was “outstanding in every single way, in every department,” Trump said.

The suspected gunman, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, is an Afghan national who entered the country in 2021 under former President Joe Biden’s Operation Allies Welcome, according to the FBI.

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed Lakanwal had a “relationship in Afghanistan with partner forces.” Patel said in a Thanksgiving Day news conference that the shooting is being investigated as an act of terrorism. Lakanwal was shot during the incident and is at an area hospital, officials said. The charges against him are expected to be upgraded now that one of the guard members has died.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

State vs. local property tax debate rages in Illinois

State vs. local property tax debate rages in Illinois

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says property taxes are a local issue, but a county treasurer’s report says hefty...
Illinois Quick Hits: County study reflects massive property tax hikes

Illinois Quick Hits: County study reflects massive property tax hikes

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – According to a study by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, property taxes in the county increased at...
Fewer businesses of Illinois' diversity-preferred group got state contracts last year

Fewer businesses of Illinois’ diversity-preferred group got state contracts last year

By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) - Fewer businesses that get diversity-related government priority in Illinois are getting contracts with the state, according to...
Peotone Blue Devil Baseball Graphic

Peotone Capitalizes on Errors to Defeat Streator 4-2

The Peotone varsity baseball team used a quick start and a dominant complete-game pitching performance to secure a 4-2 conference victory over host Streator on Monday afternoon. Peotone made the...
Peotone softball blue devil graphic

Streator Capitalizes on Eight Peotone Errors to Secure 8-6 Victory

The Streator varsity softball team picked up a hard-fought 8-6 conference victory over Peotone on Monday afternoon, defending their home field by capitalizing on a flurry of defensive miscues from...
Some blame taxes as Illinois grows on paper but loses residents

Some blame taxes as Illinois grows on paper but loses residents

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois' population has continued to narrowly grow this year, despite a significant number of cities in the...
Illinois quick hits: Cannabis company sued for alleged sexual harassment; Reparations class action suit to proceed; Disaster declaration approved for August 2025 storms

Illinois quick hits: Cannabis company sued for alleged sexual harassment; Reparations class action suit to proceed; Disaster declaration approved for August 2025 storms

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Cannabis company sued for alleged sexual harassment The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says a cannabis company subjected female workers at...
Chimney Fire

Manhattan Firefighters Extinguish Chimney Fire on South Egyptian Trail

Article Summary: A chimney fire that extended into the roof of a single-story home in a rural area of Manhattan was quickly brought under control Sunday morning, with no injuries reported...
Police Crime

One Dead, Two Hospitalized Following Overnight Shooting at Crete Family Party

Article Summary: One person was killed and two others were injured early Sunday morning after an isolated, domestic-related shooting erupted during a large family gathering in Crete. Crete Shooting Key Points:...
Phoenix renames Cesar Chavez Day, imposes limits on ICE

Phoenix renames Cesar Chavez Day, imposes limits on ICE

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Editor's note: This story has been updated with the Phoenix City Council vote on U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement activities. The Phoenix City Council voted...
Gas prices approach $4 a gallon in U.S., $6 in California

Gas prices approach $4 a gallon in U.S., $6 in California

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square The average U.S. gallon of gas neared $4 on Wednesday as California closed in on $6, with prices fueled by the uncertainty around the U.S.-Israel...
Rep: $111 million for community violence intervention is out of touch

Rep: $111 million for community violence intervention is out of touch

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois state lawmaker says Gov. J.B. Pritzker is out of touch for spending major tax dollars...
Congress requests documents after reports on California hospice fraud

Congress requests documents after reports on California hospice fraud

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square A California legislator’s investigation into hospice fraud in the Los Angeles area shows that almost 300 licensed hospice providers are tied to a small number...
California, Arizona work on removing Cesar Chavez's name

California, Arizona work on removing Cesar Chavez’s name

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Editor's note: This story has been updated to include a Phoenix City Council vote. California and Arizona are moving quickly with bipartisan, widespread and emotional...
Maryland climate ruling tees up U.S. Supreme Court case

Maryland climate ruling tees up U.S. Supreme Court case

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Maryland Supreme Court, in a 3-2 decision, rejected a lawsuit on Tuesday by climate activists seeking damages from energy companies over their perceived contributions...