Officials in Washington, D.C., held a press conference Thursday morning to provide an update regarding the horrific shooting of two West Virginia National Guard members in the nation's capital on Wednesday afternoon.
U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeannine Pirro led off the press conference. She identified the guardsmen who were shot as 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe — both of whom had just been sworn in less than 24 hours before they were shot.
At a press conference this morning, US Attorney for DC Jeanine Pirro said the two West Virginia National Guard members shot yesterday have gone through surgery and are still in critical condition. She identified them as Andrew Wolfe & Sarah Beckstrom. pic.twitter.com/XCjfdP55la
— Tom Roussey (@tomroussey7news) November 27, 2025
According to Pirro, both guardsmen have undergone surgery and are in critical condition. Their families are with them.
The alleged shooter, who has since been identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who came to the U.S. in September 2021 in the aftermath of the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, acted as a lone gunman. He used a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver.
Per Pirro, the shooter struck one of the guards, then leaned over and shot that guard again before shooting the other guard. She did not specify the number of times each guard was shot, but did note that the .357 is a six-shooter.
Pirro stated that the applicable charges at present are three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during an act of violence. Should either of the guards pass, the charge will be Murder One.
Pirro wrapped her remarks by addressing the shooter directly: You picked the wrong target, the wrong city, the wrong country, and you will be sorry.
FBI Director Kash Patel also spoke. He confirmed that the shooting is being investigated as an act of terrorism. The FBI is executing multiple search warrants across the country, including at the suspect's last known home in Bellingham, Washington.
Patel also indicated that he has spoken with CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who confirmed that Lakanwal had a relationship with partner forces. They are investigating that aspect of his background to include any known associates.
SEE ALSO: Ratcliffe Reveals Connection National Guard Shooter Had to CIA, 'Other Gov't Entities'
Patel also laid the shooting directly at the feet of the Biden administration's disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan and subsequent failure to vet.
General Leland Blanchard, the Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard, spoke briefly. He noted that this morning, there are two families that will not have the opportunity to celebrate Thanksgiving as so many Americans are doing today. Blanchard noted that Andy and Sarah’s families are spending the day reflecting on the past and what could have been/might be, and regardless of the outcome, their lives and their families’ lives have all been changed forever.
Blanchard also affirmed that the D.C. National Guard is even more committed to the president’s directive to make D.C. safe and beautiful. Their resolve is being tested, but the Guard will meet that expectation — they are America’s best.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser also spoke briefly, beginning by echoing Blanchard's remarks, and then noting, "Somebody drove across the country, came to Washington, D.C., to attack America. That person will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law."
New: Paper Trail Behind Suspect in D.C. NG Terrorist Attack Points Directly to Joe Biden
Following their initial remarks, the officials took a handful of questions. Patel was asked about a connection to San Diego and further explained that once the suspect was identified, they tracked down his last known residence in Washington state and executed search warrants there, where numerous electronic devices were seized. Pursuant to that, and known associates of the suspect, the investigation expanded to San Diego. He did not elaborate further on that point.
Pirro confirmed that the suspect was shot by another guardsman. Then, when asked by a reporter about the fact that some are blaming President Trump for having the National Guard in D.C., to begin with, Pirro unloaded:
🚨 HOLY CRAP! Jeanine Pirro just UNLEASHED on a reporter BLAMING the shooting on President Trump 🔥
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) November 27, 2025
"Some people are upset with POTUS, believing the National Guard should not even have been there..."
PIRRO: "I'm not even gonna GO THERE!"
"I don't even wanna TALK about whether… pic.twitter.com/GA1wslWBF4
"I don't even wanna talk about whether they should have been there. We ought to kiss the ground and thank God that the president said, it's time to bring in more law enforcement to make sure that a city that had the fourth highest homicide rate in the country — that that violence was quelled. I'm not even gonna go there!"
RedState will continue to follow this story and provide additional updates as warranted.
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