West Virginia Football Honors National Guard Soldiers Shot in Washington, D.C.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Before the West Virginia Mountaineers football game against Texas Tech on Saturday, the crowd observed a moment of silence to honor two West Virginia National Guard soldiers who were shot in Washington, D.C., earlier this week.
The tribute recognized 24-year-old Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe of Martinsburg and 20-year-old Spc. Sarah Beckstrom of Webster Springs. Their photographs were displayed on the stadium scoreboard during the moment of silence. Beckstrom died from her injuries sustained in the shooting, while Wolfe remains in critical condition, officials said.
The shooting occurred near the White House during the soldiers’ deployment in the nation’s capital. The suspected shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, fired 10 to 15 rounds from a .357 revolver, according to federal charging documents cited by Reuters.
Eyewitness video showed the shooter wearing dark clothing and carrying a revolver as Guardsmen sought cover. One Guardsman returned fire, and other National Guard members, hearing the shots from about three blocks away, detained Lakanwal after he was shot.
Lakanwal entered the United States in September 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, the Afghan evacuation and resettlement program. Prosecutors said he traveled across the country shortly before the attack and had no prior criminal record. He faces charges including first-degree murder and two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed. The Department of Justice intends to seek the death penalty, according to Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Beckstrom and Wolfe were among members of the West Virginia National Guard deployed to Washington, D.C., when the shooting took place.
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