Beyond the Dome: Tragedy strikes D.C.

By Katie Dusza, Asst. News Editor

On Wednesday, Nov. 26, one member of the National Guard was killed, and another seriously wounded, just blocks away from the White House. The suspect is currently in custody,  and President Trump said he would deploy another 500 troops to the streets of Washington D.C. in response to the attack. 

Just after 2 p.m., two members of the National Guard, both from West Virginia, were shot in downtown Washington D.C. According to the Mayor of Washington D.C., Muriel Bowser, this was a targeted attack. Both of the victims were taken to the hospital, where one later died. 

The two victims were Andrew Wolfe, 24, and Sarah Beckstrom, 20. Beckstrom tragically passed away from her wounds, while Wolfe remains in critical condition. Attorney General Pam Bondi told Fox News that Beckstrom had volunteered to work in Washington, D.C. over the Thanksgiving Holiday: "She volunteered, as did many of those guardsmen and women, so other people could be home with their families," she said.

Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the 29-year-old Afghan national accused of these shootings has been formally charged with murder. Lakanwal appeared before a judge remotely on Tuesday, Dec. 2, from his hospital bed where he is recovering from gunshot wounds he suffered from being shot by another National Guard member during the incident. He was charged with one count of murder, two counts of assault with the intent to kill and one count of possession during a violent crime. Lakanwal pleaded not guilty through a court-appointed attorney. 

While the motive is unclear, investigators suspect that it may have stemmed from financial stress and a potential mental health crisis. This financial burden goes alongside him not being employed, having an expired work permit and allegedly struggling to pay rent and feed his children. Officials have also said that the suspect has a wife and five children. 

It is reported that investigators are looking into the impact of the recent death of an Afghan commander, who allegedly worked with the suspect. According to close sources to the suspect, he was deeply saddened by this death. 

Homeland Security, the FBI and intelligence officials are also investigating the possibility of the attack being directed or inspired by international terrorists. As of now, authorities have not publicly released any specific evidence connecting Lakanwal to any terrorist organization. 

President Donald Trump said the suspect entered the U.S. from Afghanistan in September 2021 and criticized the prior administration of Joe Biden. Trump also reacted to the shooting by calling it "an act of evil, an act of hatred and an act of terror," adding, "it was a crime against our entire nation."