The families of two young National Guard soldiers shot in a terrifying ambush in Washington DC have had their "lives changed forever", according to emotional officials who paid tribute to the victims.
A Thanksgiving Day Forever Altered
Brigadier General Leland Blanchard of the National Guard grew visibly emotional during a press conference on Thursday as officials identified the two victims as Andrew Wolfe, 24, and Sarah Backstrom, 20.
"All across America this morning, families are waking up," Blanchard said, painting a poignant picture of traditional Thanksgiving celebrations. "They will spend the day with their children, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, friends from across the community. There will be the smell of turkey, all the fixings. They will watch parades and football games. They will pray together. They will talk about what they are grateful for."
"This morning, there are two families that will not have that opportunity," he added, his voice breaking with emotion.
The Attack and Investigation Details
The soldiers were ambushed on Wednesday while on patrol as part of President Donald Trump's ongoing effort to clean up the streets of Washington DC.
Authorities identified the alleged gunman as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, an Afghan soldier who was brought to the United States in 2021 as part of former president Joe Biden's Operation Allies Welcome. This programme facilitated temporary visas for Afghans who had assisted US Special Forces during the conflict.
During his emotional tribute, Blanchard paused his speech as he addressed Lakanwal directly, stating that because he allegedly "decided to do this horrific and evil thing", the lives of the victims and their families "are all changed forever."
Officials revealed at the Thursday press conference that Lakanwal drove across the country from his home in Bellingham, Washington, to DC before he fired at the troops on Wednesday afternoon with a .357 revolver.
Both Wolfe and Backstrom were said to be in critical condition after undergoing surgery following the shooting that occurred just yards from the White House.
Political Fallout and Security Response
The attack has sparked significant political controversy, with images from the press conference showing DC US Attorney Jeanine Pirro holding notes that appeared to blame the Biden administration for allowing Lakanwal into the country. The words "Operation Allies Welcome" and "Biden Legislation" were clearly underlined.
Brigadier General Blanchard praised law enforcement authorities in his remarks, noting that officers around the country would mark their Thanksgivings by "coming home, eating cold turkey, opening up Tupperware, eating what is left over because they spent the day defending the American ideals."
He emphasised that the National Guard "force is more committed this morning to the president's directive to make DC safe and beautiful" despite the attack testing their resolve.
Lakanwal was shot during the chaotic aftermath of the terror attack and also remains in hospital. He will be charged with three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
Pirro cautioned that the charges could be upgraded in the coming days, dependent on the condition of the two National Guardsmen. "We are praying that they survive and that the highest charge will not have to be murder in the first degree," she stated.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed his agency was carrying out a "coast-to-coast" investigation, which has included raiding two properties in Washington associated with the suspect.
In response to the shooting, President Trump took direct aim at his predecessor Joe Biden and the previous administration, insisting "no country can tolerate such a risk to our very survival." He described the suspect as "a foreigner who entered our country from Afghanistan, a hellhole on earth" who was "flown in by the Biden administration."
As Americans celebrate Thanksgiving across the nation, Brigadier General Blanchard concluded his emotional remarks with a simple request: "I ask every American today to keep them in their thoughts and prayers as you go about your day."
