Two young National Guardsmen are fighting for their lives after a horrific shooting on the streets of Washington DC, an attack that occurred less than a day after they officially swore their oaths of service.
A Celebration Turned to Tragedy
The victims have been identified as Andrew Wolfe, 24, and Sarah Backstrom, 20. In a press conference held on Thursday, US Attorney Jeanine Pirro confirmed the devastating timeline, stating that she believed the two "were sworn in less than 24 hours before they were shot on the street". Their formal induction on Tuesday was meant to be a celebratory start to their military careers, but it was tragically cut short by the violent events of Wednesday.
The Attack and Its Aftermath
According to authorities, the two guardsmen were gunned down on the streets of Washington DC in a shocking act of violence. Both soldiers were rushed for emergency medical treatment and have since undergone surgery. Officials report that they remain in a critical condition as they recover from their severe injuries.
Suspect in Custody
Law enforcement has named Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan soldier, as the alleged gunman responsible for the shoot-out. Lakanwal is currently in custody as the investigation into the motive and circumstances of the attack continues. This incident has sent shockwaves through the military community and raised urgent questions about the safety of service members.
