U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Thursday that the department will be seeking the death penalty against Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who allegedly killed one National Guard soldier and left another fighting for his life in a targeted attack on Wednesday afternoon.
President Trump somberly announced Thursday night that West Virginia National Guardsman Sarah Beckstrom, 20, had succumbed to her wounds. “Right now, I heard that Sarah Beckstrom of West Virginia, one of the guardsmen that we’re talking about, highly respected, young, magnificent person, started service in June of 2023, outstanding in every way. She’s just passed away,” the president announced while speaking with active duty service members on Thanksgiving.
“She’s no longer with us. She’s looking down at us right now. Her parents are with her. This just happened,” the president added, describing Beckstrom as an “incredible person” who was “outstanding in every single way in every department.”
U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom
2005–2025
A True American Hero 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/fJCIhSNvob
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) November 28, 2025
While speaking with “Fox And Friends” on Friday morning, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro announced that charges of first degree murder were being filed against Lakanwal.
“Rahmanullah Lakanwal will now be charged with murder in the first degree. There are certainly many more charges to come, but we are upgrading the initial charges from assault to murder one,” Pirro said.
“This is a tragic case, and under President Trump’s directive to get tough on violent crime — especially crimes committed by those who shouldn’t even be here — we’re throwing the book at him. The evidence is overwhelming: witnesses, video, and the victim’s own statements before she deteriorated. We’re not playing games anymore in D.C.”
Pirro went on to echo President Donald Trump and War Secretary Pete Hegseth in affirming that her office is committed to the ongoing crackdown on violent crime in the nation’s capital.
“Let me be clear: This isn’t just about one case. We’ve seen a 20 percent drop in overall violent crime in the district since May, thanks to aggressive charging and no more slaps on the wrist. Fentanyl rings busted, gang leaders indicted, it’s all part of making D.C. safe again. But cases like Lakanwal’s highlight why we need to end sanctuary policies and enforce immigration laws. The American people deserve justice, not excuses.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi had confirmed that the department will be seeking the death penalty against Lakanwal if either of the two wounded soldiers passed away, which has since happened.
Pirro’s office is also pursuing a death penalty case against a man accused of gunning down two Israeli embassy employees while yelling “Free Palestine” this past spring.
