Two National Guard members who were shot in Washington DC on Wednesday have been identified. Sarah Backstrom, aged 20, and Andrew Wolfe, aged 24, were revealed as the victims during a press conference on Thursday. Both individuals are currently in critical condition, according to US Attorney Jeanine Pirro. She mentioned that the two soldiers from West Virginia had recently been sworn in under President Donald Trump’s executive order to enhance security in the district, less than 24 hours before the incident.
Pirro commended the bravery of Backstrom and Wolfe, highlighting how they selflessly risked their lives for strangers, reflecting the increasing reality faced by law enforcement officers.
The suspect responsible for the attack has been identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal by law enforcement officials. The incident took place around 2:15 pm ET on Wednesday. The Department of Homeland Security disclosed that Lakanwal is an Afghan national who arrived in the US in September 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, an initiative launched by the Biden administration to safeguard vulnerable Afghans post the US military exit from Afghanistan.
Former President Trump swiftly condemned the attack, labeling it as an “act of terror” and a “heinous assault.” Subsequently, US Citizenship and Immigration Services announced a halt in processing immigration cases for Afghan immigrants until further notice.
Lakanwal traveled from his residence in Bellingham, Washington, to Washington DC, where he shot at the National Guard with a .357 revolver. Pirro stated that he was also injured during the incident and is currently hospitalized. He is expected to face charges including assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a violent crime.
In a Fox News interview, US Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that both victims had undergone surgery. Bondi emphasized that charges against the suspect would be based on the victims’ medical prognosis. She refrained from providing specific details on their conditions, noting that the charges could potentially include terrorism-related offenses.
While Backstrom was not directly named by Bondi, she was described as a young woman who volunteered to serve in the nation’s capital during the Thanksgiving holiday period. Similarly, Wolfe was identified as one of the victims by a spokesperson from Musselman High School, who shared the news on Facebook. Wolfe is currently in critical condition and is undergoing surgery, with the school community expressing deep concern and support for him and his family.
The tragic incident has sparked national attention and raised concerns over security measures in the capital, as investigations into the motive and circumstances of the attack continue.