BREAKING: U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, just sworn in less than 24 hours prior, was shot in an ambush-style attack in Washington, D.C. on November 22, 2023, and tragically succumbed to her injuries the following day. This shocking incident has left the nation in mourning and raised urgent questions about the safety of service members in the capital.
Beckstrom, aged 20, expressed deep frustrations about her deployment to D.C., describing her feelings as “pointless” to her boyfriend, Adam Carr. Speaking with CNN, Carr revealed, “She was like, ‘People spit at us, cuss at us, and we can’t do nothing.’” Beckstrom’s inability to act in the face of hostility during her deployment has resonated profoundly with her loved ones and the public.
“She wanted to make a difference, extremely,” Carr continued. “But she also felt like her hands were tied.” This sentiment underscores the emotional turmoil many National Guard members face while serving in high-stress environments without the authority to intervene effectively.
The attack occurred around 2:30 p.m. near the Farragut West Metro Station, just a mile from the White House, while President Donald Trump was at his golf course in West Palm Beach. Trump, who called Beckstrom a “highly respected, young, magnificent person,” confirmed her passing during a call with soldiers, stating, “She was savagely attacked. She’s dead, not with us.”
As the nation processes this tragedy, the search continues for the suspect, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021. Lakanwal’s involvement in this brutal act has raised significant concerns about security protocols in the capital, especially as crime rates have surged.
Beckstrom had volunteered to work over the Thanksgiving holiday, a choice praised by Attorney General Pam Bondi. “She volunteered to be there on Thanksgiving – working today — she volunteers, as did many of those guardsmen and women, so other people could be home with their families,” Bondi stated, highlighting the dedication of those in service.
In response to the violence, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the deployment of an additional 500 National Guard troops to bolster security in D.C. The National Guard was initially deployed earlier this year as part of the Trump administration’s crime crackdown, which has faced scrutiny as crime rates have continued to rise.
Earlier this week, Trump wrongly claimed, “We haven’t had a murder in six months” in D.C., despite the Metropolitan Police Department reporting at least 62 homicides since May 25, 2023, including several recent incidents.
As the community mourns the loss of Specialist Beckstrom, her story underscores the ongoing challenges faced by those serving in volatile environments, raising critical questions about their roles and the support they receive. The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing, with law enforcement urging anyone with information to come forward.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops. The impact of this tragedy reverberates across the nation, reminding us of the sacrifices made by service members and the urgent need for safety in our streets.
