Trump proclaims dying of National Guardsman Sarah Beckstrom following Washington DC taking pictures: Updates
The National Guard members who were shot Wednesday in Washington, D.C., are “fighting for their lives” and in critical condition, Trump administration officials said Thursday morning, adding that law enforcement would seek the death penalty if applicable.
During a press conference, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said both National Guard members had undergone surgery but remained “in critical condition.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Justice Department was looking at pursuing the harshest charges against the man accused of shooting the two Guard members. If one of the Guard members dies, that could be raised to the death penalty.
The National Guard members were identified as 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe and 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom. Both had been sworn in less than 24 hours before the shooting.
The suspect has since been identified as 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who entered the country in September 2021.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has since announced that it will stop processing all immigration requests from Afghans “indefinitely” and “effective immediately.”
What charges does the suspected shooter face?
The man suspected of shooting two National Guard members could be facing potential charges of assault with intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm during a violent crime or even the death penalty.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said Thursday morning that the Justice Department would pursue the death penalty against the suspected shooter should one of the National Guard members die.
As of now, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said they were looking at three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, which carries a minimum sentencing of two years, in D.C., and a maximum sentence of 15 years.
The suspected shooter could also be charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
Official charges have not been brought against the man yet.
Kash Patel confirms National Guard ‘shooter’ worked with US Forces in Afghanistan
Guard members are in ‘critical condition’
Justice Department officials, Thursday morning, declined to specify the condition of the two National Guard members who were shot on Thanksgiving eve but said they were ‘critical.’
“They are currently in critical condition. They have undergone surgery,” U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said during a press conference.
National Guard members identified
The two National Guard members shot in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday have been identified as Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24.
Suspected shooter worked with CIA-backed military during Afghanistan war
The man accused of shooting two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, worked with CIA-backed military units in Afghanistan, the agency said Thursday.
The suspected shooter, identified as an Afghan man, reportedly worked with CIA-backed military units during the war in Afghanistan.
He came to the U.S. through a Biden-era immigration program for Afghans who worked with the U.S. government, according to the New York Times.
Suspected shooter was armed with .357 revolver
Pirro said the suspected shooter was armed with a .357 revolver when he shot both Guard members.
Suspected shooter drove car ‘cross country’ to commit shooting
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro of Washington, D.C., said during a press conference Thursday morning that the suspected shooter drove his car from Washington state to the nation’s capital to commit the shooting.
Pirro said the suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, resided in Bellingham, Washington, with his wife and five children.
Watch Live: FBI Director Kash Patel holds press conference after shooting of National Guard members
Bondi vows to seek harsh charges against shooter
Attorney General Pam Bondi said law enforcement would be seeking the death penalty, if applicable, for the person suspected of shooting two National Guard members.
On Fox & Friends Thursday morning, Bondi said law enforcement was looking at seeking the harshest charges possible against the shooter, though she noted that the situation was fluid.
Both National Guard members are still hospitalized, though “fighting for their lives,” Bondi said. As of now, the attorney general said they’re looking at charges of “Minimum life in prison with terrorism charges.”
However, should the National Guard members die, “We will do everything in our power to seek the death penalty against that monster,” Bondi said
Joe Biden ‘heartbroken’ by latest gun violence episode
The 44th president, whom Trump has blamed for the shooting and who is currently recovering from cancer treatment, has expressed his sorrow over yesterday’s events.
Here’s some more reaction from Barack Obama, Kamala Harris, House Speaker Mike Johnson and California Democrats Gavin Newsom and Ro Khanna.
Source: independent.co.uk
