BREAKING: President Trump announces death of National Guard member after ambush by Afghan migrant

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From Fox News: West Virginia National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom, 20, of West Virginia, has died after being shot Wednesday in a Washington, D.C. ambush just blocks from the White House.

President Donald Trump confirmed the news Thursday night, noting he was told just seconds before speaking to members of the military at Mar-a-Lago.

“I heard that Sarah Beckstrom, of West Virginia, … highly respected, young, magnificent person, started service in June of 2023, outstanding in every way, she’s just passed away,” Trump said. “She’s no longer with us. She’s looking down at us right now. Her parents are with her. It’s just happened. She was savagely attacked. She’s dead now.”

Earlier on Thursday, Beckstrom’s father had sadly told the New York Times, “She has a mortal wound; it’s not going to be a recovery. I’m holding her hand right now.”

Trump said the second National Guard member who was shot, Andrew Wolfe, 24, is still “fighting for his life.”

“He’s in very bad shape. He’s fighting for his life and hopefully we’ll get better news with respect to him,” Trump said.

According to Fox News, both Beckstrom and Wolfe had just been sworn in to the National Guard less than 24 hours before the attack. They were shot in a horrific ambush by Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, an Afghan national who was in the US illegally after overstaying his visa. Lakanwal had entered the US in September 2021 through the Biden administration’s botched refugee program Operation Allies Welcome.

Journalist Jack Posobiec had explained in a social media post on Wednesday: “The suspect waited for the guardsmen to turn the corner before opening fire. He only had four rounds, but managed to hit the female guard in the chest. He then approached her, took her weapon, and shot her point-blank in the head. Using her firearm, he continued shooting at the other guardsmen, hitting one in the neck, until a third guard engaged and subdued him.”

WATCH BELOW:

Attorney General Pam Bondi reacted to the news, writing on X, “Devastated. Please pray for Sarah. Pray for her family. America will never forget her courage. There WILL BE JUSTICE for Sarah. Continue to pray for Andrew. Thank you to President Trump — the death penalty is back.”

FBI Director Kash Patel wrote, “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.”

Judge Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, wrote, “Our hearts and prayers go out to the family of 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom of the National Guard — a hero who volunteered to serve DC on Thanksgiving for people she never met and gave the ultimate sacrifice. May she rest in peace. It is now time to avenge her death and secure justice.”

War Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote, “An American hero, at home with the LORD. RIP, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom. May our nation kneel in prayer for her family.”

Fox News host Laura Ingraham wrote, “Heartbreaking news from Washington tonight. President Trump announced that U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom of Summersville, West Virginia — one of the National Guardsmen brutally attacked yesterday in D.C. — has passed away. 🙏 May God be with her family and loved ones as they face this unimaginable loss.”

READ MORE from Fox News.

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