Specialist Sarah Beckstrom - United States Department of Defense - Army National Guard - West Virginia Army National Guard - West Virginia

On November 26, 2025, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom of the West Virginia National Guard was working patrol near the Farragut Square Metro Station in Washington, D.C.

While working the patrol shift, at approximately 2:15 p.m., a gunman walked up to Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and two other guardsmen and opened fire.  While standing over one of the guardsmen, preparing to shoot again, another guardsman returned fire, striking the gunman. 

 Specialist Beckstrom and the other guardsman were transported to local hospitals.  Unfortunately Specialist Beckstrom passed the following day on November 27, 2025. The other guardsman is in critical condition.

The suspect remains in the hospital recovering from gunshot wounds. He was charged with three counts of assault with the intent to kill while armed and criminal possession of a weapon, and will be charged with murder in the first degree.

Over 2,000 National Guard troops have been deployed to guard Washington, D.C. since August 2025. They are sworn in and deputized with the United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service as certified law enforcement officers.

Specialist Sarah Beckstrom had served with the United States Department of Defense - Army National Guard - West Virginia Army National Guard for over two years and was assigned to the 863rd Military Police Company, 111th Engineer Brigade. She had been deployed to Washington, D.C. since August 2025 and volunteered to stay for the Thanksgiving weekend. She is survived by her parents and was only 20 years old.  Our prayers and condolences to her family.