On the eve of Thanksgiving 2025, just blocks from the White House, a tragedy unfolded that has since reverberated through the nation’s capital and far beyond. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old member of the West Virginia National Guard, was shot and killed in an ambush-style attack while on active duty in Washington, D.C. Her colleague, Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, was also critically wounded and remains hospitalized. The alleged gunman, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan asylum seeker, now faces a first-degree murder charge in a case that has exposed the struggles of refugee resettlement, the challenges of military service, and the personal toll of public service.
According to The Associated Press, Lakanwal’s downward spiral had been apparent for years. After arriving in the United States in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome—a program designed to evacuate and resettle Afghans who aided U.S. troops and diplomats—he settled with his wife and five young sons in Bellingham, Washington. But life in his new country proved far from easy. Community advocates and refugee organizations noted that Lakanwal struggled to assimilate, hold a job, or maintain steady participation in English classes. His behavior oscillated between long, isolating periods in a darkened room and sudden, impulsive cross-country drives, sometimes to distant cities like Chicago and Arizona.
Concerned community members reached out for help as early as January 2024, worried that Lakanwal was showing signs of severe depression and potential suicidality. One email, shared with the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), described a man "not functional as a person, father and provider since March of last year, 03/2023." The message painted a picture of a family in distress: unpaid rent, children left unbathed and unfed during their mother’s brief absences, and a father who communicated only through his toddlers. Despite these red flags, no one anticipated that Lakanwal would turn violent toward others. The USCRI attempted to intervene in March 2024, but Lakanwal and his family reportedly refused assistance.
On November 27, 2025, Lakanwal allegedly drove from Washington state to the nation’s capital and carried out the ambush attack, critically wounding both Beckstrom and Wolfe. Specialist Beckstrom succumbed to her injuries the following day, leaving behind a grieving family, heartbroken colleagues, and a stunned community. Investigators, as reported by the AP, have yet to determine a clear motive for the attack.
In the aftermath, the nation has turned its attention to the life and legacy of Sarah Beckstrom, whose brief but impactful journey has been recounted by friends, family, and officials alike. Beckstrom, originally from Summersville, West Virginia, enlisted in the National Guard in June 2023. She was assigned to the 863rd Military Police Company, 111th Engineer Brigade, and deployed to Washington, D.C. in August 2025 as part of the White House crime task force—dubbed the "D.C. Safe and Beautiful Mission"—ordered by then-President Trump.
Before her deployment, Beckstrom worked as a community engagement specialist at Seneca Health Services, supporting those at risk of psychiatric hospitalization. Marcie Vaughan, CEO of Seneca Health Services, told CBS News, "Her coworkers would tell you she had a great sense of humor. She loved being part of the community. She would frequently go to events, engage others, and share resources that might positively impact their lives." Vaughan added, "Her decision to join the National Guard and to become a member of the behavioral health profession that requires a person to have compassion. The fact she volunteered shows courage and dedication."
Friends and family painted a portrait of a young woman whose kindness and resilience shone through adversity. Adam Carr, Beckstrom’s former boyfriend, described her to NBC News as “one of the most forgiving people” and someone “hard not to love.” Carr recounted that Beckstrom initially hesitated to deploy to D.C., worried about homesickness, but soon found camaraderie among her fellow soldiers, earning the nickname "Becky." Carr also revealed to CNN that Beckstrom privately described the limits of her D.C. deployment as "pointless," sharing her frustrations and the emotional burden of being far from home. Yet, despite the challenges, she chose to stay in the capital, exploring its history and building new friendships.
Beckstrom’s aspirations reached beyond her service. She dreamed of joining the FBI, using her military experience as a stepping stone toward a career in federal law enforcement. Her passion for helping others was evident in both her civilian and military roles. "The fact that she chose both to enlist in the National Guard and to work at a community behavioral health center is testament to her passion for helping others," Vaughan told NBC News.
The news of Beckstrom’s death drew condolences and tributes from across the spectrum. On Thanksgiving Day, former President Trump announced her passing during a call with U.S. troops, praising her as a “highly respected, young, magnificent person.” West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey echoed these sentiments, calling her “brave and selfless for serving her country” and adding, “Sarah served with courage, extraordinary resolve, and an unwavering sense of duty to her state and to her nation. She answered the call to serve, stepped forward willingly, and carried out her mission with the strength and character that define the very best of the West Virginia National Guard.”
Beckstrom’s father, Gary Beckstrom, shared his heartbreak with The New York Times, recalling holding her hand as she passed. “She has a mortal wound. It’s not going to be a recovery,” he said. Later, in a brief message, he wrote, “My baby girl has passed to glory.”
The attack has reignited national conversations about the challenges facing Afghan refugees in America, the mental health crisis among resettled populations, and the risks borne by those who serve in uniform. Lakanwal’s struggles—documented by community advocates and refugee organizations—underscore the difficulties many face when adapting to a new country after trauma and displacement. Yet, as those who knew Lakanwal pointed out, their greatest fear was for his own safety, not that he would harm others.
For those who served with Beckstrom, the loss is deeply personal. “The family just needs prayers,” Vaughan told CBS News. “Sarah was happy to serve — and it is a tragedy that this happened to her.” Her colleagues at Seneca Health Services are bracing for a difficult return to work, mourning a young woman who, by all accounts, made a lasting impact on everyone she met.
As the investigation continues and the community searches for answers, Sarah Beckstrom’s life stands as a testament to compassion, courage, and the enduring cost of service. Her story, and the circumstances surrounding her death, are a sobering reminder of the intersecting challenges facing both those who serve and those seeking refuge on American soil.
