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Before the West Virginia Mountaineers football team took on the No. 5 Texas Tech Red Raiders Saturday afternoon in Morgantown, the crowd shared a moment of silence for the two West Virginia National Guard soldiers shot and killed Wednesday in Washington, DC.
The public address announcer asked the crowd to remain silent as they gathered to honor 24-year-old U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe of Martinsburg and Sarah Beckstrom, 20, of Webster Springs. Their photos were displayed on the notice board during the minute of silence.
The two National Guard soldiers were shot near the White House while deployed to DC Spc. Beckstrom died from her injuries, while Staff Sgt. Wolfe remains in critical condition.
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West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Rich Rodriguez during the second quarter of a game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Milan Puskar Stadium on Nov. 29, 2025, in Morgantown. (Brien Aho/Getty Images)
The suspected shooter is Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national.
The shooting occurred in broad daylight and eyewitness video was released showing the shooter, believed to be Lakanwal, wearing dark clothing, turning a corner with a revolver in his hand as guards rushed for cover.
NEW VIDEO EMERGES OF DC NATIONAL GUARD SHOOTING AS SOLDIER Clings to Life
One of the guards was seen on a street corner and returned fire. The Metropolitan Police say other National Guardsmen heard the gunshots about three blocks from the White House and were able to arrest Lakanwal after he was shot.
The shooter fired 10 to 15 rounds from a .357 revolver, according to federal charging documents cited by Reuters.
Lakanwal entered the United States in September 2021 as part of Operation Allies Welcome, the Biden administration’s Afghan evacuation and resettlement program. Prosecutors say he traveled across the country shortly before the attack and had no criminal record.
Emergency personnel gather in a cordoned off area where National Guard soldiers were shot near the White House Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Lakanwal faces charges of first-degree murder and two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Justice Department intends to seek the death penalty.
Beckstrom and Wolfe were among members of the West Virginia National Guard deployed to the Washington, D.C. area to combat crime in the city in response to an executive order from President Donald Trump.
Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va., told “FOX & Friends Weekend” Saturday that Wolfe is “hanging in there,” adding that his family is calling for prayers.
“Andrew is fighting for his life right now, and his family and all his friends are trying to get as many prayers as possible from all over the country, all over the world, to help him recover,” West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey told “Fox & Friends Weekend” Saturday.
National Guard members Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24, were shot and killed Wednesday in Washington, DC. Beckstrom died Thursday at the hospital. (United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia; Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
“West Virginia cares very deeply about its Guard. And there is a proud tradition of West Virginians leaving military service. So when something like this happens, it’s really a gut punch to communities.”
As for the Mountaineers’ play, they were not competitive against one of the best teams in the country. The Red Raiders beat them 49-0, improving to 11-1 on the year. West Virginia finished its season 4-8.
PK Press Club’ Michael Dorgan, Greg Norman and Madeleine Rivera added to this report.
