Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

nitpicked

(1,561 posts)
Fri Nov 28, 2025, 11:37 AM 9 hrs ago

Suspect in shooting of National Guard members now facing a first-degree murder charge

Source: AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — Charges against the man accused of shooting two National Guard members have been upgraded to first-degree murder after one of the soldiers died, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia announced Friday.

Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, were hospitalized in critical condition after the Wednesday afternoon shooting. Both were deployed with the West Virginia National Guard to the nation’s capital as part of President Donald Trump’s crime-fighting mission. Trump announced Thursday evening that Beckstrom had died.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office said the charges against Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, now include one count of first-degree murder, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed.

In an interview on Fox News, Pirro said there are “many charges to come” beyond the upgraded murder charge. She said her heart goes out to the family of Beckstrom, who volunteered to serve and “ended up being shot ambush-style on the cold streets of Washington, D.C., by an individual who will now be charged with murder in the first degree.”
(snip)

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/national-guard-shooting-suspect-585e36855d1dddd3e801708987c776c0

2 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Suspect in shooting of National Guard members now facing a first-degree murder charge (Original Post) nitpicked 9 hrs ago OP
Good MichMan 9 hrs ago #1
Political considerations aside, man this is freaking sad AZJonnie 9 hrs ago #2

AZJonnie

(2,433 posts)
2. Political considerations aside, man this is freaking sad
Fri Nov 28, 2025, 11:51 AM
9 hrs ago

20 year old woman, not even old enough to drink yet, murdered in cold blood, after having volunteered for this duty ... it's really so awful

That being said, she also should have never even been there in the first place. And the recent allegations this asshole was involved with CIA-driven missions in Afghanistan, and presumably granted asylum by agents of Trump's administration (at a time when presumably very FEW were), are both facts seemingly worthy of investigation. Just saying.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Suspect in shooting of Na...