DC National Guard Shooting: Suspect Charged with First-Degree Murder After Fatal Ambush Near Metro Station
Washington, D.C. — The suspect in the deadly shooting targeting two National Guard members near the Farragut West Metro station has been upgraded to first-degree murder charges following the death of one of the victims, officials announced Thursday.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, was initially charged with three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and criminal possession of a weapon. However, after the passing of one of the wounded guardsmen, the charges were escalated to first-degree murder.
The shooting occurred around 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, when Lakanwal allegedly ambushed U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, and U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, both members of the West Virginia National Guard. According to authorities, Lakanwal opened fire without provocation, shot one victim, leaned over and fired again, then turned his weapon on the second guard, firing several times.
Video footage obtained by The Wall Street Journal shows the moment of the shooting, capturing Lakanwal brandishing a gun before fleeing the scene. The footage also shows a National Guardsman running and reloading his weapon as the incident unfolded.
Staff Sgt. Wolfe, from Martinsburg, West Virginia, and Spc. Beckstrom, from Webster Springs, West Virginia, were both serving on the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Mission, a federal deployment initiated in August 2025 as part of a broader crime crackdown in the nation’s capital. Wolfe was assigned to the Force Support Squadron, 167th Airlift Wing, West Virginia Air National Guard, while Beckstrom was assigned to the 863rd Military Police Company, 111th Engineer Brigade, West Virginia Army National Guard.
At the time of the shooting, there were 2,188 National Guard personnel assigned to D.C. The deployment was part of President Trump’s federal takeover of the city, which he touted just a day before the shooting during the traditional turkey pardoning at the White House. Trump praised the National Guard’s efforts, calling D.C. “a totally safe city” and thanking the troops for their work.
Authorities say Lakanwal drove from Washington state to target the National Guard members, using a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver. He is now in custody and faces the upgraded charges. The motive behind the attack remains under investigation, but officials described the shooting as unprovoked and ambush-style.
“The other young man is fighting for his life,” President Trump said in a statement following the incident. “He’s in very bad shape. He’s fighting for his life.”
The West Virginia National Guard confirmed the identities of both wounded guardsmen and expressed their condolences to the families. Both Wolfe and Beckstrom had been serving in D.C. since the mission began in August.
The incident has sparked renewed debate over the safety of National Guard deployments in urban environments and the risks faced by service members during domestic operations. As the investigation continues, officials are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
Funeral arrangements and further details regarding the victims are expected to be released by the West Virginia National Guard in the coming days.