United States President Donald Trump on Thursday (local time) announced that Sarah Beckstrom, one of the two West Virginia National Guard troops who were shot near the White House on Wednesday has passed away. Announcing her death, Trump praised her courage and described her as “highly respected” and “magnificent” person. He added that the other guard who was shot, is in very critical condition and fighting for his life. Notably, Sarah Beckstrom (20) and Andrew Wolfe (24) were on patrol just blocks from the White House when a gunman opened fire on them on November 26.
She's no longer with us, says Trump
“Sarah Beckstrom of West Virginia, one of the guardsmen that we're talking about, highly respected, young, magnificent person ... She's just passed away. She's no longer with us,” Trump said. He added, “The other young man, is fighting for his life. He's in very bad shape," Trump said as he addressed the troops. Hopefully, we will get better news with respect to him.”
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Earlier, West Virginia's Governor Patrick Morrisey also expressed grief on Sarah's demise through a post on X and wrote, “A few moments ago, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom passed away from the injuries sustained during yesterday’s horrific shooting. This is not the result we hoped for, but it is the result we all feared.”
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Trump condemns the attack
Trump on Wednesday, had called the shooting incident near the White House "an act of terror” and crime against the United States. In a short video address, Trump linked the shooting to three key political issues: his domestic deployment of military forces, the wider immigration debate, and the legacy of America's 20-year involvement in Afghanistan. He confirmed that the suspect, identified as an Afghan national was taken into custody. Trump added that the man arrived in the US in 2021 "on those infamous flights.” referring to the evacuation of Afghans who fled the Taliban takeover after the US withdrawal.
"This heinous assault was an act of evil and an act of hatred and an act of terror. It was a crime against our entire nation, it was a crime against humanity. The hearts of all Americans tonight are with those two members of the West Virginian National Guards and their families," Trump said.
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