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Washington Today
By the People, for the People
Guardsmen ambushed in DC to be awarded the Purple Heart
The two West Virginia National Guard members shot in November will receive the military's highest honor.
Published on Feb. 7, 2026
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The two West Virginia National Guard members, Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, who were shot in an ambush in Washington, D.C. in November, will be awarded the Purple Heart. Beckstrom died of her injuries, while Wolfe remains in recovery. The suspected gunman, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who previously worked with the CIA in Afghanistan, has been arraigned on multiple charges, including first-degree murder.
Why it matters
The awarding of the Purple Heart, typically reserved for troops wounded or killed by enemy combatants in war zones, to the two National Guard members highlights the evolving nature of threats to U.S. service members, even on American soil. The attack has also raised questions about the vetting process for Afghan refugees and the challenges of determining eligibility for the prestigious military decoration.
The details
Lakanwal, who was among thousands of Afghans evacuated to the U.S. after the Taliban's takeover in 2021, was affiliated with a CIA-linked special operations unit in Afghanistan. Investigators believe he may have been experiencing financial and mental health issues that led to the attack. The Trump administration has labeled Lakanwal a terrorist, though it has not publicly produced evidence tying him to any designated terrorist organization.
- The attack occurred in November 2026.
- Spc. Sarah Beckstrom died of her injuries on November 26, 2026.
- Sgt. Andrew Wolfe is scheduled to undergo skull reconstruction surgery in March 2027.
The players
Sarah Beckstrom
A 20-year-old Army Specialist in the West Virginia National Guard who was killed in the November 2026 ambush.
Andrew Wolfe
An Air Force Staff Sergeant in the West Virginia National Guard who was shot in the head during the November 2026 ambush and remains in recovery.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal
A 29-year-old Afghan national who was previously affiliated with a CIA-linked special operations unit in Afghanistan and is the suspected gunman in the November 2026 ambush.
Pete Hegseth
The U.S. Defense Secretary who announced the Purple Heart awards for Beckstrom and Wolfe.
Patrick Morrisey
The Republican Governor of West Virginia who called for the Purple Heart awards after the ambush.
What they’re saying
“One lost, one recovering, both soon to be Purple Heart recipients, because they were attacked by a radical.”
— Pete Hegseth, U.S. Defense Secretary
“This announcement brings long-overdue honor to their service, offers meaning and reassurance to their families, and stands as a solemn reminder that West Virginia will never forget those who sacrifice in defense of others.”
— Patrick Morrisey, Governor of West Virginia (ABC News)
What’s next
The judge in Lakanwal's case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow him to be eligible for the death penalty.
The takeaway
This attack highlights the evolving threats facing U.S. service members, even on American soil, and the challenges of determining eligibility for prestigious military honors like the Purple Heart when the circumstances do not fit the traditional criteria.
