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

Traffic Alert Graphic

Traffic Alert: Wolf Road water repairs rescheduled for Tuesday

MOKENA – Drivers traveling through Mokena should prepare for delays on Wolf Road tomorrow, as village officials have rescheduled planned water system repairs. The Village of Mokena announced that the infrastructure...
Ex-Illinois candidate sides with Vance after Duckworth–Rubio clash

Ex-Illinois candidate sides with Vance after Duckworth–Rubio clash

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois, is facing fresh criticism after Vice President J.D. Vance likened her...
Illinois Quick Hits: Judge rules Cook County misspent $243M

Illinois Quick Hits: Judge rules Cook County misspent $243M

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A circuit court judge has ruled that Cook County spent $243 million in violation of the Illinois...
Planning & Zoning Graphic.3

Will County P&Z Forwards Monee and Manhattan Residential Projects

Will County P&Z Commission Meeting | Jan. 20, 2026 Article Summary: The PZC approved zoning requests facilitating residential improvements in Monee and Manhattan. The approvals allow for the construction of...
Will County P&Z Logo Planning Zoning

Will County P&Z: Wilton Township Wedding Venue Secured for 2026 Season

Will County P&Z Commission Meeting | Jan. 20, 2026 Article Summary: For the third consecutive year, the Will County Planning and Zoning Commission has approved a temporary use permit for...
Chicago FOP boss: Mayor’s ICE on Notice order is 'piece of toilet paper'

Chicago FOP boss: Mayor’s ICE on Notice order is ‘piece of toilet paper’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has signed an executive order directing members of the city’s police department to...

WATCH: Supreme Court case could add to $10.8B midterm spending projection

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court could issue a decision by July that could unleash billions more dollars into political campaigns ahead of the 2026 midterm elections....
Lawmaker, officer: 'Blue Envelope" could help navigate autism during stops

Lawmaker, officer: ‘Blue Envelope” could help navigate autism during stops

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker who also serves in law enforcement says proposed legislation creating a “Blue Envelope”...
Will County P&Z Logo Planning Zoning.2

Will County P&Z Grants Variances for Unpermitted Structures in Crete and Manhattan

Will County P&Z Commission Meeting | Jan. 20, 2026 Article Summary: The Planning and Zoning Commission approved variances for property owners in Crete and Manhattan who built agricultural structures without...
Senate GOP fails to halt welfare funding for non-citizens

Senate GOP fails to halt welfare funding for non-citizens

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square U.S. Senate Republicans failed to halt over $5 billion in funding for refugees, with 20 GOP senators joining every Senate Democrat to continue providing costly...
Senate passes funding deal, sends to House for final approval

Senate passes funding deal, sends to House for final approval

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Senate sent a $1.2 trillion government funding package back to the House for approval Friday night, ensuring a partial government shutdown over the...
California group opposes property tax hike, billionaires' tax

California group opposes property tax hike, billionaires’ tax

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square Officials with the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association are concerned about efforts to raise property taxes on California’s homeowners, a representative of the organization told The...
Illinois quick hits: New Illinois Supreme Court justice installed

Illinois quick hits: New Illinois Supreme Court justice installed

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square New Illinois Supreme Court justice installed The newest member of the Illinois Supreme Court has been installed. Former appellate court justice...
High schools throughout California stage walkouts over ICE

High schools throughout California stage walkouts over ICE

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Hundreds of students at high schools throughout California held walkouts Friday over immigration raids and the law enforcement-involved deaths of two people in Minneapolis. Schools...
Pritzker celebrates expansion of French cheese maker in GOP leader’s district

Pritzker celebrates expansion of French cheese maker in GOP leader’s district

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker is celebrating the expansion of a French cheese-making facility in Illinois House Republican Leader...