U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, both from the West Virginia National Guard, were shot in an ambush near the White House on Wednesday afternoon.

President Trump announced the passing away of Beckstrom on Thursday from her wounds: “I must unfortunately tell you shortly before I went on that Sarah Beckstrom of West Virginal, one of the Guardsmen we were talking about, highly respected, young, magnificent person, started service in June of 2023, outstanding in every way, she just passed away.

“She’s no longer with us, she’s looking down on us right now, her parent her with her, it just happened, she was savagely attacked, she’s dead “ the president announced.

The 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal who is a suspect is currently in custody, has entered the country via a resettlement program, while the FBI probes it as potential terrorism.

FBI Director Kash Patel urged citizens to pray for the family: “Sarah Beckstrom was a young soldier and patriot with her entire life ahead of her. Please join me in praying for Sarah’s family, friends, and fellow soldiers left behind.”

The deceased father remembered her as a selfless patriot, as leaders across parties expressed grief and called for unity.