National Guard member shot near White House dies
November 28, 2025/
One of the National Guard members shot near the White House on Wednesday died from her injuries, President Donald Trump said.
U.S. Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old from West Virginia, died from her injuries. Staff Sgt Andrew Wolfe, 24, also of West Virginia, remains in critical condition.
Beckstrom started serving in the National Guard in June 2023 and was “outstanding in every single way, in every department,” Trump said.
The suspected gunman, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, is an Afghan national who entered the country in 2021 under former President Joe Biden’s Operation Allies Welcome, according to the FBI.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed Lakanwal had a “relationship in Afghanistan with partner forces.” Patel said in a Thanksgiving Day news conference that the shooting is being investigated as an act of terrorism. Lakanwal was shot during the incident and is at an area hospital, officials said. The charges against him are expected to be upgraded now that one of the guard members has died.
Tue Jun 9
91° 72°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Latest News Stories
Committee Debates Easing Size Restrictions on Accessory Dwelling Units
Will County's Land Use and Development Committee is considering changes to its accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations that could provide more flexibility for homeowners looking to create additional living spaces...
“Tiny Homes” Status Creates Regulatory Confusion for County Officials
Will County officials are struggling to establish clear regulations for "tiny homes," with committee members expressing confusion over terminology and appropriate standards during Wednesday's Land Use and Development Committee meeting....
County Officials Begin Exploring Regulations for Small Modular Nuclear Reactors
Will County is beginning to explore potential regulations for small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) after recent Illinois legislation allowed their development, planning staff told the Land Use and Development Committee...
Will County Land Use News Briefs
Truck Terminal Proposal Tabled for Traffic Study: The committee tabled a special use permit request from Litmax Multi-Service Inc. for a truck terminal in New Lenox Township at 22645 Cherry...
County Moves Forward with Veterans Building Renovations, Questions Arise on Pace Building Plans
Will County's Capital Improvements Committee received updates Tuesday on multiple county facility projects, including progress on the Copperfield Drive building renovations for veterans services, while discussions revealed questions about the...
County Continues Efforts to Reduce Leased Office Space Footprint
Will County officials reported Tuesday that efforts to consolidate county operations in owned facilities are continuing to reduce the county's leased office space footprint, with further reductions expected when the...
County Reports Significant Cost Savings Through In-House Facility Projects
Will County is achieving substantial cost savings by completing facility improvement projects with in-house staff rather than contracting the work out, according to a presentation to the Capital Improvements Committee...
County Legislative Committee Endorses Electronic Recycling Bill, Reviews Transit Governance
The Will County Legislative Committee voted Thursday to support proposed state legislation that would extend and expand Illinois' electronic recycling program, while also reviewing potential changes to regional transit governance...
Will County Capital Improvements News Briefs
Courthouse Scaffolding Expected to Come Down Soon: Scaffolding on one corner of the Will County Courthouse should be removed within the next two weeks, pending reports from material scientists. "We're...
County Finance Committee Advances Proposal for Elected Official Pay Raises After 20-Year Freeze
The Will County Finance Committee voted Thursday to advance a proposal that would provide the first salary increases for countywide elected officials and county board members in nearly two decades....
Will County Committee Debates Process for Taking Positions on State Legislation
Will County Legislative Committee members engaged in substantial discussion Thursday about how the committee should review and take positions on state legislation, with several members expressing concerns about the process...
State Lobbyists Update County on Springfield Action as Legislative Deadlines Approach
County officials received a comprehensive update on pending state legislation Thursday as lawmakers in Springfield approach critical deadlines for moving bills forward this session. Representatives from Mac Strategies, the county's...
Will County Legislative Committee News Briefs
Committee Postpones Action on Felony Conviction Voting Rights Bill: The Will County Legislative Committee declined to support House Bill 1288, which would allow individuals convicted of felonies to run for...
Shanahan Development Agreements Near Completion, Will County to See $282,000 Annual Revenue Boost
Will County will soon begin receiving the full tax benefit from industrial developments in Shanahan as the tax abatement and rebate agreements that helped fund infrastructure improvements approach their completion...
County Explores Bond Refinancing Options to Generate Potential Savings
Will County officials are exploring opportunities to refinance existing debt that could generate significant savings through two separate financial strategies, according to presentations to the Finance Committee on Thursday. Financial...