A jarring image shows authorities rushing to help two West Virginia National Guard members just moments after they were gunned down by a crazed shooter in Washington, DC, Wednesday afternoon.
Footage captured by CBS News showed the two brave troops lifeless on the ground as scores of law enforcement officers, including cops and Secret Service agents, surrounded them during the chaotic moment.
A nearby bus stop was also shot out during the ambush-style attack, leaving shards of glass on the ground near the disturbing scene.
Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died of her wounds on Thanksgiving while Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains clinging to life as of Friday evening.
The two heroes were in DC as part of President Trump’s deployment of troops to US cities dealing with high crime.
The alleged gunman, Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was wounded when another National Guard member returned fire, ending his hail of terror.
He’s facing first-degree murder and related charges, federal prosecutors said.
Attorney General Pam Bondi has vowed to seek the death penalty against the accused killer.
Lakanwal entered the US with his family in 2021 after fleeing the war-torn Middle Eastern country, where he served in an elite unit that has ties to the CIA.
Follow the latest on the National Guard shooting in Washington, DC:
- Sarah Beckstrom, one of the National Guardsmen shot by crazed Afghan refugee, dies at 20: ‘Looking down at us’
- Two National Guard troops shot near White House in suspected terror attack, alleged gunman in custody
- DC terror suspect will have charges upgraded to murder: Pirro
- Top Trump intel official reveals DC terror suspect wasn’t vetted for entry to US
- Afghan terror suspect ‘disappeared’ roughly 2 weeks before ambushing National Guard troops in DC, neighbor says
Beckstrom, who hailed from Webster Spring, W.Va., was remembered as the “sweetest girl” with a “heart of gold” by loved ones Friday.
Fellow Mountain State native Wolfe, from Martinsville, remains in critical condition Friday, Gov. Patrick Morrisey said.
Flags in the state are being flown at half-staff to mourn Beckstrom’s death.
