D.C. National Guard Members Shot, FBI Investigates Terror

Officials briefed the public Thursday morning after two West Virginia National Guard members were shot in Washington, D.C., a violent attack that left both guardsmen in critical condition and prompted federal investigators to treat the incident as terrorism. Prosecutors and federal agents named a suspect, outlined charges, described the weapon used, and linked parts of the inquiry to national vetting and intelligence questions. The briefing included blunt statements blaming failures in Afghanistan policy and vows to pursue justice to the fullest extent.

U.S. Attorney Jeannine Pirro opened the press conference and identified the wounded guardsmen as 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, who had been sworn in less than 24 hours before the attack. Both underwent surgery and remain in critical condition, and Pirro said their families are with them during this crisis. The details she provided set a grim scene for investigators and the public alike.

Pirro named the alleged shooter as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who arrived in the United States in September 2021 after the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. Authorities describe him as a lone gunman who used a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver. Pirro said the attacker struck one guard, leaned over to shoot that guard again, then shot the other guard, noting only that the .357 is a six-shooter without specifying the exact number of rounds fired at each victim.

At that moment in the briefing, Pirro announced the immediate charges: three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during an act of violence. She made clear that if either guardsman dies, the charges will be upgraded to Murder One. Those prosecutorial choices signal the seriousness with which federal law enforcement is treating the incident.

Pirro concluded her remarks with a direct warning to the suspect, saying, “You picked the wrong target, the wrong city, the wrong country, and you will be sorry.” Her words were terse and meant to reassure the public that the federal government would use every tool available to hold the attacker accountable. The tone of the press conference was firm and unapologetic.

FBI Director Kash Patel said the FBI is investigating the shooting as an act of terrorism and executing multiple search warrants nationwide, including at the suspect’s last known residence in Bellingham, Washington. Patel said numerous electronic devices were seized during those searches and that investigators were following leads tied to the suspect’s known associates. He also said the probe expanded to other locations based on evidence and the suspect’s connections.

Patel added that he has discussed the matter with intelligence leaders, including CIA Director John Ratcliffe and others involved in partner-force relationships. He indicated Lakanwal had some form of relationship with partner forces, and agents are examining that background to understand whether there were any other associates or prior contacts relevant to motive or planning. This part of the inquiry reaches into intelligence and vetting procedures tied to post-Afghanistan resettlement.

Patel did not hesitate to place blame on federal policy outcomes, tying the attack back to the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan and alleged vetting failures. That line of argument framed the event as not only a criminal act but also a consequence of broader policy decisions affecting national security. Republicans listening to this briefing will hear that connection as confirmation of long-standing warnings about post-withdrawal resettlement and oversight gaps.

General Leland Blanchard, Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard, spoke about the human toll and the ripple effects on families who were supposed to be celebrating holidays. He noted that Andy and Sarah’s families will be spending the day reflecting on what has happened and what might happen, and that their lives are now irrevocably changed. Blanchard reiterated the Guard’s commitment to the president’s directive to keep Washington safe and presentable, saying the organization’s resolve is being tested but will hold firm.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser echoed the gratitude toward law enforcement while stressing that someone drove across the country to attack America and will face prosecution. She promised the suspect would be prosecuted “to the full extent of the law.” Her remarks emphasized local concern and the city’s intent to see justice served.

During the question period, officials described follow-up actions: search warrants, device seizures, and investigative ties that reached into other cities, including San Diego. Pirro confirmed the suspect was shot by another guardsman at the scene, and she pushed back sharply when a reporter raised a politically charged question about whether the Guard should have been in D.C. “I don’t even wanna talk about whether they should have been there. We ought to kiss the ground and thank God that the president said, it’s time to bring in more law enforcement to make sure that a city that had the fourth highest homicide rate in the country — that that violence was quelled. I’m not even gonna go there!”

The federal case is moving quickly, with charges already filed and multiple warrants executed as investigators piece together motive, connections, and the suspect’s recent movements. The investigation blends criminal, counterterrorism, and policy questions, and officials signaled they will pursue every lead to determine how this attack happened and whether broader systemic failures played a role.

The community impact is immediate and deep, with two families in crisis and the nation watching how federal and local authorities respond. Authorities conveyed both urgency and resolve in their remarks, and the legal process will determine how charges evolve as the probe continues. For now, the focus remains on the wounded guardsmen, the suspect in custody, and the expanding federal inquiry into what drove this violent act.