A man accused of shooting two US National Guard members in Washington, DC, has been formally charged with first-degree murder after one of the victims, Sarah Beckstrom, succumbed to her injuries, authorities confirmed Friday. The updated charges were announced by US Attorney Jeanine Pirro.

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The Washington, DC Shooting Incident

The attack occurred just blocks from the White House on November 26, 2025. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, allegedly shot:

• Sarah Beckstrom, 20, who later died from her wounds
• Andrew Wolfe, 24, who remains in critical condition

Both were members of the West Virginia National Guard, deployed to the capital as part of what the administration described as an anti-crime initiative.

Pirro initially charged Lakanwal with three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, but the death of Beckstrom has prompted the upgrade to first-degree murder.

“There are certainly many more charges to come, but we are upgrading the initial charges from assault to murder in the first degree,” Pirro said during an interview on Fox and Friends.

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Federal Response and Investigation

Attorney General Pam Bondi had previously stated that the death penalty would be sought if either of the National Guard members died. The FBI is investigating the shooting as an act of terrorism, while authorities continue to examine Lakanwal’s background and potential motives.

Officials reported that Lakanwal had applied for US asylum in December 2024, citing prior work with a CIA-linked Afghan unit known as the “zero unit,” which Human Rights Watch has associated with extrajudicial killings and civilian abuses. His asylum was approved in April 2025 after vetting by US authorities.

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Political and Policy Fallout

In response to the attack, the Trump administration announced new measures targeting immigration:

• A pause on migration from all Third World countries, expanding previous restrictions on Afghan nationals
• A full-scale re-vetting of green card holders from countries of concern
• A pledge to remove immigrants deemed “incapable of loving our country”

Advocates have criticized these measures as collective punishment, arguing that refugees and legal immigrants should not face restrictions for the alleged acts of one individual.

• The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) called the policy a violation of due process, stating, “People fleeing violence, persecution, and instability deserve protection and due process—not to be vilified for the alleged acts of one person.”
• The Afghan-American Foundation urged responsible media coverage and political response to prevent further division.

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Key Takeaways

• Rahmanullah Lakanwal has been charged with first-degree murder after the death of National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom.
• Andrew Wolfe remains in critical condition following the attack.
• The incident is being investigated as terrorism by the FBI.
• The Trump administration announced expanded immigration restrictions, targeting refugees and immigrants from Afghanistan and other countries.
• Advocacy groups warn against policies amounting to collective punishment of vulnerable populations.