A member of the National Guard has died following a shooting incident in Washington DC, close to the White House, President Donald Trump confirmed on Thursday.
Tragic Announcement from the President
In his first live remarks since the Wednesday attack, the President identified the deceased as Sarah Beckstrom from West Virginia. He described her as a highly respected and magnificent young person.
President Trump also confirmed that a second guardsman, Andrew Wolfe, aged 24, remains in a critical condition and is fighting for his life.
A Father's Heartbreak
Earlier on Thursday, Beckstrom's father, Gary Beckstrom, had spoken to the New York Times by phone from his daughter's bedside. He stated that his daughter had sustained a mortal wound and that a recovery was not expected.
"I'm holding her hand right now," Gary Beckstrom said. "She has a mortal wound. It's not going to be a recovery."
The authorities, including FBI Director Kash Patel and US Attorney for D. Jeanine Pirro, displayed a picture of Sarah Beckstrom during a press conference addressing the violent event.
This remains a developing story as further details emerge.
