The attack on two members of the West Virginia National Guard in Washington, D.C., resulted in the death of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and left Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe in critical condition.
Beckstrom’s father said she had suffered a mortal wound and was not expected to recover.
She died on Thanksgiving.
Beckstrom was 20 years old and had volunteered to work the day before the holiday so other Guard members could be home with their families.
Staff Sgt. Wolfe remains hospitalized and is still fighting for his life.
Authorities have said the incident is being investigated as a possible ambush, and the alleged assailant is an Afghan national. Police reported that the suspect yelled “Allahu Akbar” during the attack.
President Donald Trump condemned the attack and announced Beckstrom’s passing.
He described her as “outstanding in every way” and said he had spoken with her family, who he said were “devastated.”
NEW: President Trump announces that National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom has sadly passed away.
Beckstrom was shot by a suspected Afghan national.
“Seconds before I went on right now, I heard that Sarah Beckstrom of West Virginia… highly respected, young magnificent person…”… pic.twitter.com/de6dFA9766 [1]
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 28, 2025 [2]
Public reaction intensified [3] after New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani posted a statement on X in response to Beckstrom’s death.
His message read: “I’m devastated to learn of the passing of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, a member of the West Virginia National Guard. She was only twenty years old. As families across the nation come together today to celebrate Thanksgiving, let us take a moment to think of those in West Virginia who have been plunged into unimaginable grief.”
I’m devastated to learn of the passing of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, a member of the West Virginia National Guard. She was only twenty years old.
As families across the nation come together today to celebrate Thanksgiving, let us take a moment to think of those in West Virginia…
— Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) November 28, 2025 [4]
Mamdani’s statement did not mention that Beckstrom had been killed, nor did it address the details released by police, including the allegation that the attack was an ambush or that the suspect had shouted “Allahu Akbar.”
His post also did not reference Staff Sgt. Wolfe or note that the investigation includes possible terrorism.
Users on X criticized the omissions, and the post went viral.
Zohran is able to use the word “killing” when it comes to car crashes.
He’s unwilling to use the word “killing” when an Islamic extremist executes a National Guard soldier in cold blood in the street. pic.twitter.com/VXEzdmfi6E [5]
— Drew Pavlou (@DrewPavlou) November 28, 2025 [6]
She didn’t “pass”. She was murdered.
— Robert McLaws (@robertmclaws) November 28, 2025 [7]
She didn’t “pass.” She was shot by a guy screaming “Allahu Akbar.” https://t.co/cc2mEXDc89 [8]
— jimtreacher.substack.com (@jtLOL) November 28, 2025 [9]
She didn’t have cancer.
She was murdered. By a Muslim from Afghanistan. Just for existing. https://t.co/qlN90IGimC [10]
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) November 28, 2025 [11]
Jihadi Tactic 101: manipulating language to minimize and whitewash Islamic terrorism.
Sarah Beckstrom didn’t just randomly “pass away”.
She was murdered in cold blood on American soil by an imported Muslim terrorist who shot her while yelling “Allah-o Akbar.
Words matter. https://t.co/D3RSK2tpoK [12]
— Goldie Ghamari | گلسا قمری (@gghamari) November 28, 2025 [13]
However, a separate post from the day before Thanksgiving showed Mamdani asking for donations to his transition team.
Commenters also compared reactions to an earlier remark Mamdani made about his “aunt” and her experience riding the subway in a hijab after 9/11.
According to Zohran the real victim of 9/11 was his auntie who got some (allegedly) bad looks https://t.co/UGeKANSAH2 [14]
— JD Vance (@JDVance) October 25, 2025 [15]
Zohran Mamdani says that his “aunt” that he claimed on Friday was too afraid to wear her hijab on the subway after 9/11 was actually his father’s cousin named “Zehra Fuhi” who he says passed away a few years ago. pic.twitter.com/LA2jOY5K6r [16]
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) October 27, 2025 [17]