National Guard members shot in D.C. identified but motive still unknown
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Members of law enforcement respond to a shooting near the White House on Nov. 26 in Washington, DC. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images
The two members of the West Virginia National Guard shot in a brazen afternoon attack in D.C. were identified Thursday as 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe.
The big picture: President Trump said in a Thursday evening public call with service members that Beckstrom had died and Wolfe was "fighting for his life."
- U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro said earlier Thursday that both Guard members were in critical condition with their families by their sides after undergoing surgery.
Driving the news: Pirro did not identify the motive behind the attack during a Thursday briefing on the shooting.
- The 29-year-old suspect was identified as an Afghan national who previously worked with the CIA and other U.S. agencies. He, too, remains in a local hospital under heavy surveillance after being shot by another Guard member, Pirro confirmed.
- She said the likely charges for the attack are three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
- But if the Guard members do not pull through, she said, "this is a murder one, period, end of the story."
- Trump has demanded the death penalty for all murders in D.C.
What they're saying: Brig. Gen. Leland Blanchard, the commanding general of the D.C. National Guard, said that "regardless of the outcome, we know that their lives, their families' lives, are all changed forever because one person decided to do this horrific and evil thing."
- Pirro said the pair were "sworn in" less that a day before they were shot.
Catch up quick: The "targeted" shooting occurred around 2:15pm ET near a metro stop a short walk away from the White House.
- Trump described the assault as an act of "evil," "hatred" and "terror."
What we're watching: The administration filed an emergency motion following the shooting asking a federal appeals court to halt a judge's recent ruling that the president unlawfully deployed the National Guard in D.C. to fight crime.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said after the attack that the president wants to direct an additional 500 Guard members to D.C.
- An Army official told Axios the request had been received and that they will "rapidly execute."
Go deeper: National Guard shooting in D.C. draws condemnation from Trump, lawmakers
Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect that President Trump said West Virginia National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom has died.
