No Guardsman Has Stepped Back After DC Shooting: Governor

By Peter Aitken

Politics Weekend Editor

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The shooting of two West Virginia National Guard Members and subsequent death of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom has not deterred any of their fellow Guard members deployed to Washington, D.C., from staying in the nation’s capital, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey told CBS News during an interview on Friday.

The governor said that he hasn’t heard any members “step back” from their service and request to return home, saying they want to stay and “complete the mission and serve their state and country.”

Why It Matters

Beckstrom, 20, and Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, were in Washington, D.C., since August as part of the federal surge in the nation's capital to tackle crime and immigration operations.

A suspect, identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal of Washington state, allegedly drove across the country before shooting Beckstrom and Wolfe in an "ambush-style" attack using a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver before he was wounded and apprehended by responding troops, according to U.S. Attorney General of the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro.

The shooting and Beckstrom’s subsequent death prompted a strong response from the Trump administration, including a freeze on all immigration requests for Afghan nationals and visas for any Afghan passport holders.

Lakanwal arrived in the U.S. as part of the Biden administration’s Operation Allies Welcome, which admitted Afghan nationals who worked with the U.S. government during its operations in Afghanistan. However, he applied for asylum in late 2024, and the Trump administration granted his request earlier this year. He also served in a CIA-backed Afghan army unit before immigrating to the country.

The suspect remains hospitalized following the attack and is in serious condition, Trump said Thursday.

...

What To Know

Morrisey spoke with CBS News in the wake of Beckstrom’s death and addressed the ongoing mission in D.C., confirming that West Virginia Guard members were involved in subduing Lakanwal, but said nothing further pending a federal review.

Despite expressing his pride in his Guard’s commitment to the D.C. mission, he avoided answering whether he would commit further troops to fulfill Trump’s order of a further 500 Guard personnel.

"Right now, I'm focusing on the families, the guardsmen, and healing," Morrisey said. "As time evolves, I'll keep talking with Guard leadership to make the right call."

"When evildoers come in and commit heinous acts, we can't back down," he added. "That's exactly what they want."

Morrisey also took time to praise Beckstrom, revealing that he had met with her parents at the hospital after her passing.

"She was loved and respected greatly," Morrisey said. "There's an energy around her — people lining up to pay respects, showing sympathy, standing by their friend and the Guard."

Morrisey also discussed Wolfe, reiterating the president’s earlier statement that the staff sergeant is “fighting for his life.”

What People Are Saying

President Donald Trump earlier this week wrote on Truth Social: "The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen, with both being critically wounded, and now in two separate hospitals, is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price. God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement. These are truly Great People. I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!"

Former President Barack Obama earlier this week wrote on X: "Violence has no place in America. Michelle and I are praying for the servicemembers shot in Washington, DC today, and send our love to their families as they enter this holiday season under the most tragic of circumstances."

State Secretary Marco Rubio wrote on X: "My heart is heavy as we learn of the tragic passing of West Virginia National Guardsman Sarah Beckstrom. May the Lord receive her into His eternal embrace and grant her family peace and comfort. Continuing to pray for Guardsman Andrew Wolfe."

What Happens Next?

The Trump administration will review its "security and vetting protocols" in the State Department and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Lakanwal has been charged with one count of first-degree murder, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed.

An investigation into Lakanwal and his motives remain ongoing.

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