A member of the West Virginia National Guard, Sarah Beckstrom, has died after being shot near the White House on Wednesday, the United States government has confirmed. Her death was announced by former President Donald Trump during a press briefing on Thursday, sparking fresh debate about security in the U.S. capital and the country’s immigration policies.
Beckstrom was one of two National Guard members attacked by a gunman identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national. Lakanwal allegedly opened fire close to the White House, where the National Guard members were carrying out routine duties. The second Guard member, who has not yet been publicly identified, is still receiving treatment.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Trump offered emotional remarks about Beckstrom, confirming that she did not survive the attack.
“Sarah Beckstrom just passed away. She’s no longer with us. She’s looking down at us right now. Her parents are with her,” Trump said.
He described the late officer as “an incredible person, outstanding in every single way,” adding that her death was a painful loss for her family, her unit and the country.
Trump also used the moment to describe the shooting as a “terrorist attack” and strongly criticised the immigration policies of President Joe Biden’s administration. According to him, such incidents show that the U.S. should not have allowed Afghan nationals who worked with American forces during the Afghanistan War to resettle in the country.
The shooting took place near one of the most heavily secured areas in the United States, raising questions about how the attacker was able to get close enough to open fire on uniformed personnel. The Washington Metropolitan Police and federal agencies responded quickly, and Lakanwal was taken into custody shortly after the attack.
The motive for the shooting has not yet been officially released, but early reports suggest that investigators are examining possible extremist links. U.S. federal agencies are also looking into the background of the suspect, including how long he had been in the country and whether he had any ties to violent groups.
The incident has renewed political debate about the resettlement of Afghans who fled their country in 2021 after the Taliban took control of Kabul. Following the withdrawal of U.S. troops, thousands of Afghans who had worked with American and NATO forces were airlifted out of the country.
Many of these individuals were granted humanitarian parole and allowed to settle in different parts of the United States. While supporters of the program argue that the U.S. owes protection to its allies, critics claim that the vetting process was rushed and may have overlooked security risks.
Trump has repeatedly criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal and used Beckstrom’s death to highlight his concerns. “This attack should never have happened,” he said, arguing that stronger border and immigration controls were needed.
The shooting has also raised new concerns about security in the U.S. capital. The area surrounding the White House is closely monitored by the Secret Service, police patrols and surveillance systems. Incidents involving armed individuals are rare.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has warned several times in recent months that the risk of domestic and foreign-inspired attacks remains high. This latest incident is expected to spark a fresh review of security protocols around Washington, D.C.
Lawmakers, military officials and citizens across the country have expressed shock and sadness following Beckstrom’s death. Messages of condolence have poured in for her family and colleagues in the West Virginia National Guard.
Military leaders described Beckstrom as a dedicated officer who served her country with commitment. Her death adds to a growing list of violent attacks against security personnel in the United States in recent years.
Human rights groups have also called for caution in public discussions of the attack. They warned against painting all Afghan refugees with the same brush, noting that many of them risked their lives to support American forces during the war.
Police officials say the investigation into the shooting is still ongoing. Federal agencies, including the FBI, are involved in examining Lakanwal’s background, motives and possible affiliations.
Trump said he expects the U.S. government to take the case seriously. “This should never happen again,” he said, calling for stronger security measures to protect service members on duty.
