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

Universities warn state funding delays are wasting millions in taxpayer investment

Universities warn state funding delays are wasting millions in taxpayer investment

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Long‑delayed university repair funding is leaving campuses across the state with holes in their roofs, and in...
Illinois Quick Hits: Loyola student's alleged killer faces federal firearm charge

Illinois Quick Hits: Loyola student’s alleged killer faces federal firearm charge

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An 18-year-old Loyola University student’s accused killer has also been charged with illegal possession of a firearm....
Lincoln Way West Warriors Softball

Lincoln-Way West Claims WJOL Tournament Championship with 11-1 Win Over Lockport

The Lincoln-Way West varsity softball team delivered a dominant offensive performance to capture the WJOL Tournament Championship, routing host Lockport 11-1 in the title game on Thursday afternoon at Inwood....
Will County Board Land Use Committee Graphic.2

Will County Kicks Off Comprehensive Land Resource Management Plan Update with Focus on Proactive Zoning and Environmental Justice

Will County Board Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | March 26, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee held a special workshop to kick off...
Will County Board Graphic.04

Infighting and Calls for Resignation Disrupt Will County Board Meeting

Will County Board Meeting | March 19, 2026 Article Summary: Calls for the resignation of a Will County Board member over a recent misdemeanor conviction derailed the end of the...
Lincoln Way West Warriors Baseball

Lincoln-Way West Outlasts Marysville 6-5 in Eight-Inning Thriller

The Lincoln-Way West varsity baseball team secured a dramatic 6-5 walk-off victory over Marysville (OH) in an eight-inning, neutral-site battle on Thursday afternoon. After watching a mid-game lead slip away,...
lincoln way school district 210 logo.2

Lincoln-Way 210 Awards $1.98 Million Contract for Network Cabling Upgrades

Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | March 19, 2026 Article Summary: The Board of Education approved a $1.98 million contract with CDW/Greatline Solutions to upgrade aging wired infrastructure...
solar panels photovoltaics in solar farm

Will County Land Use Committee Splits Votes on Massive Earthrise Solar Projects Amid Intense Public Opposition

Will County Board Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | April 2, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee on Tuesday faced a marathon session dominated...
Report: Coordinated resilience infrastructure is needed in age of AI

Report: Coordinated resilience infrastructure is needed in age of AI

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Highly coordinated resilience infrastructure is needed in the age of artificial intelligence, says a new report released Thursday from the Elon University Imagining the Digital...
Green Garden Township Supervisor Dean Christofilos address the Will County Planning & Zoning Commission meeting on March 30. Photo by Andrea Arens.

Will County P&Z Recommends Denial of 6,000-Acre “Pride of the Prairie” Solar Project After Contentious Hearing

By Andrea Arens JOLIET — After more than eight hours of testimony and public comment spanning two nights, the Will County Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4–2 to recommend denial...
U.S., NATO alliance on the line as Trump set to meet with Rutte

U.S., NATO alliance on the line as Trump set to meet with Rutte

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Tensions are running high between President Donald Trump and NATO leaders, as grumblings grow over the U.S. withdrawing from the alliance. NATO’s relationship with the...
BREAKING: Trump fires Bondi, Blanche to lead DOJ

BREAKING: Trump fires Bondi, Blanche to lead DOJ

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square President Donald Trump removed Attorney General Pam Bondi from the Department of Justice on Thursday, according to a post on social media. "Pam Bondi is...
States sue Trump administration over rollback of some air pollution regulations

States sue Trump administration over rollback of some air pollution regulations

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is co-leading a multi-state lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s rollback of some federal limits on toxic air pollution. The lawsuit...
Energy affordability report ranks Illinois 31st, warns of 'burdensome' mandates

Energy affordability report ranks Illinois 31st, warns of ‘burdensome’ mandates

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – According to a new report on energy affordability, burdensome mandates are making Illinois more expensive. The American...
Illinois voices weigh in on birthright citizenship case

Illinois voices weigh in on birthright citizenship case

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As the U.S. Supreme Court considers a high-stakes challenge to birthright citizenship, a constitutional law expert...