The two National Guard members shot in a “targeted” ambush Wednesday afternoon just blocks from the White House in D.C. were identified as Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe.
Both are from the West Virginia National Guard, Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, said at a news conference Thursday.
Beckstrom and Wolfe were serving with the DC Safe and Beautiful Mission when they were shot around 2:15 p.m., the West Virginia National Guard said in a news release.
The shooting occurred less than 24 hours after they were assigned to maintain status to conduct presence patrols, said a spokesman for the joint task force investigating the shooting.
They are currently hospitalized in critical condition. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was also shot and taken to a hospital. He faces three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and one count of possession of a firearm during a violent crime.
Wolfe, 24, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, entered service on Feb. 5, 2019, the joint task force statement said. He is a U.S. Air Force sergeant assigned to the Force Support Squadron, 167th Airlift Wing.
Beckstrom, 20, of Webster Springs, West Virginia, entered service June 26, 2023. She is assigned to the 863rd Military Police Company, 111th Engineer Brigade and is a U.S. Army specialist.
The National Guard said it had been deployed to D.C. since August after President Donald Trump ordered troops to the city as part of his fight against crime.
Beckstrom’s father told the New York Times that she has a “fatal wound” and probably won’t recover.
“I’m holding his hand right now,” Gary Beckstrom said. “There is not going to be a recovery.”
Beckstrom’s family did not immediately respond to NBC News’ requests for comment.
Jason Wolfe, Wolfe’s father, declined to comment, but added “just pray for my son.”
