President Donald Trump on Sunday said he has invited the family of a National Guard member fatally shot last week to the White House. He mentioned that he spoke to her parents, who were “devastated” by the tragedy.
U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom died following a shooting incident on Wednesday in Washington, D.C. Her colleague, U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, who was seriously injured in the same event, remained in critical condition. The president said he has discussed a White House visit for the parents of both members of the West Virginia National Guard.
“I said, ‘When you’re ready, because that’s a tough thing, come to the White House. We’re going to honor Sarah,” Trump told reporters. “And likewise with Andrew, recover or not.”
In recent days, local vigils in West Virginia have honored the soldiers, including one held Saturday evening at Webster County High School, where Beckstrom attended classes.
“Sarah was the kind of student that teachers hoped for. She carried herself with quiet strength, a contagious smile, and a positive energy that lifted people around her,” said Gabriel Markle, the school’s principal. “She was sweet, caring and always willing to help others.”
Beckstrom, 20, and Wolfe, 24, were deployed with the West Virginia National Guard as part of Trump’s aggressive crime-fighting plan that federalized the D.C. police force.
A 29-year-old Afghan national faces one count of first-degree murder and two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed in connection with the shooting. This incident prompted the Trump administration to halt all asylum decisions and pause issuing visas for people traveling on Afghan passports.
Funeral arrangements had not been finalized for Beckstrom, according to Cathy Pettry, owner of Dodd & Reed Funeral Home in Webster Springs. Pettry stated on Saturday that her funeral home has been in contact with Beckstrom’s family about the services.
At the vigil, the hometown crowd, seated in bleachers and folding chairs, lit candles while listening to speeches from clergy and West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, who said he visited Wolfe’s family earlier in the day.
Wolfe, of Martinsburg, entered service in February 2019. He graduated from Musselman High School in 2019, according to Berkeley County Schools. He remained hospitalized and “fighting for his life,” Morrisey said during an interview the following day on Fox News Channel’s “The Sunday Briefing.”
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi also told “Fox News Sunday” that she planned to meet with Wolfe’s family.
Morrisey called it a challenging time for the state. Referring to Beckstrom as a “favorite daughter of Webster County,” he shared that he quickly learned about her reputation as someone with a big heart who loved to serve others.
Beckstrom, from Summersville, graduated in June 2023 and enlisted in the National Guard that same month. She served with distinction as a military police officer, according to the West Virginia National Guard.
“She had a lot of kindness and she certainly had courage,” Morrisey told the crowd during Saturday’s vigil. “Though her life lasted far too short, she has left a mark that’s going to last forever.”
AP writer Josh Boak contributed to this report from West Palm Beach, Florida.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/30/trump-white-house-invitation-national-guard-members/
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