Two West Virginia Guardsmen Shot Near White House in Targeted Attack; Victims Critical as Investigation Expands

Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering the USA

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Image Source: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Two members of the West Virginia National Guard remained in critical condition after being shot while patrolling blocks from the White House on a rare Wednesday afternoon incident that drew widespread attention to security around the nation's capital. Officials described the attack as targeted and noted that the gunman was apprehended at the scene after bystander and officer intervention.

The victims, identified as Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24, were reportedly on duty in a routine security detail when a gunman emerged and opened fire around 2:15 p.m., according to statements from local police officials. Authorities said both soldiers were taken to a nearby hospital, where medical teams said their condition remained critical but stable enough to receive ongoing treatment.

Law enforcement agencies quickly mounted a broad response, with the FBI coordinating a coast-to-coast probe into the assailant’s background and movements. Search warrants were executed at a residence in Bellingham, Washington, and additional locations in San Diego, as investigators sought to determine a motive and any possible connections to broader security threats. Public safety officials indicated that the investigation would extend beyond domestic boundaries as necessary.

The suspect, identified by authorities as Rahmanuallah Lakamal, an Afghan national, has been described as having arrived in the United States in 2021 under federal programs linked to Afghan resettlement. Officials characterized the shooting as a terrorism-related attack, and prosecutors indicated they would pursue life-in-prison charges or, if warranted by outcomes for the victims, the death penalty.

President and local leaders weighed in as the city grappled with questions about security and the deployment of National Guard troops in major urban centers. In remarks broadcast by national media, officials emphasized the need to preserve public safety while maintaining civil liberties. The incident also prompted discussions about immigration and national security, with some political figures suggesting a reexamination of screening processes for entrants connected to federal programs.