Two National Guardsmen who were shot in Washington DC, have been identified as Andrew Wolfe, 24, and Sarah Backstrom, 20. The alleged shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, has been linked to the incident. The attack has been described as an “act of terror” by former President Donald Trump.
Following the incident, US Citizenship and Immigration Services has halted processing immigration cases involving Afghan immigrants until further review. The victims, members of the West Virginia National Guard, were critically injured in the shooting.
Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe were on duty in Washington, DC, both serving under President Trump’s executive order. Sarah, who joined the Guard in June 2023, belonged to the 863rd Military Police Company, while Andrew, a member since February 2019, was assigned to the Force Support Squadron.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi has expressed intent to seek the death penalty for the shooter. Both victims are currently in critical condition, with Andrew undergoing surgery.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the suspect, had recently arrived in the US under Operation Allies Welcome. The program aimed to assist vulnerable Afghans following the US military withdrawal from Afghanistan. More than 190,000 Afghans have resettled in the US through this initiative.
The shooting incident prompted reactions from officials like House Speaker Mike Johnson and California Governor Gavin Newsom, condemning the violence and urging prayers for the injured Guardsmen. The investigation is ongoing, with no known motive yet and the suspect receiving medical treatment.
The presence of National Guard troops in DC has sparked debates on security measures, with concerns over their extended deployment. The situation remains fluid as updates continue to emerge regarding the tragic event.