WASHINGTON — The second service member wounded in Wednesday’s targeted ambush outside a D.C. recruiting station has been identified as 20-year-old Army National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom of Webster Springs, West Virginia.
Beckstrom and fellow Guardsman Spc. Michael Wolfe were both shot multiple times around 9:15 a.m. on November 26 while standing post outside the Armed Forces Career Center on Georgia Avenue NW. Authorities say a lone gunman approached the pair and opened fire before fleeing the scene.
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Beckstrom was struck in the chest and head; Wolfe was hit in the torso. Both were rushed to MedStar Washington Hospital Center, where they underwent emergency surgery. As of Thursday evening, hospital officials list both soldiers in critical but stable condition.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro named the victims during a Thursday press conference, praising their service.
“Sarah Beckstrom and Michael Wolfe came to Washington to keep our nation’s capital safe,” Pirro said. “They were deliberately targeted simply for
wearing the uniform. This was an act of domestic terrorism, and we will not rest until the coward responsible is brought to justice.”
Beckstrom, who graduated from Webster Springs High School in 2023, enlisted in the West Virginia Army National Guard last year and had been in D.C. supporting security operations ahead of the holiday season.
Back in rural Webster County, residents are reeling. A makeshift memorial of flowers, candles, and American flags has grown outside the local VFW post.
“Sarah is one of ours — small-town girl with a huge heart,” said Webster Springs Mayor Helen Taylor. “The whole county is praying for her and her battle buddy.”
The FBI has taken over the investigation and is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with tips is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.