Chicago – December 1st, 2025
As investigators continue to dig into the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., the incident has already led to swift and dramatic changes in U.S. immigration policy. The Trump administration has paused all immigration requests from Afghan nationals, and the president has signaled even tougher measures ahead.
President Trump said he has personally spoken with the families of the soldiers involved, and both have been invited to the White House.
Security Tightens Across the Capital
In response to the attack, both federal authorities and the D.C. Metropolitan Police confirmed that National Guard patrols in the city will now include at least one D.C. police officer. The extra oversight, however, won’t extend to places outside MPD’s jurisdiction such as national monuments, the Capitol, or the city’s transit system.
Honoring a Fallen Soldier
One of the victims, 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom of Summersville, West Virginia, joined the Guard in 2023. In a post online, her father, Gary, described her tenderly as his “baby girl” and shared that she had “passed to glory.”
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey called for a statewide moment of silence, noting that both Beckstrom and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, had volunteered for the D.C. security mission. Wolfe remains in critical condition, fighting for his life.
“These two West Virginia heroes were serving our country and protecting our nation’s capital when they were maliciously attacked,” Morrisey said. “Their courage and commitment represent the very best of our state.”
A Former Afghan Ally Now Facing Murder Charges
The suspect, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is now charged with first-degree murder, with prosecutors suggesting more charges are likely.
Lakanwal came to the United States in 2021 shortly after the fall of Kabul. Before that, he served in a CIA-aligned counterterrorism unit in Afghanistan groups that, according to AfghanEvac, sometimes carried out intense and secretive missions. CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed that Lakanwal and his family were able to resettle in the U.S. because of his service alongside American intelligence.
Investigators are still searching for a motive and are following leads both inside the country and overseas. For now, the biggest question why it happened remains unanswered.
