President Donald Trump has ordered American flags across the nation and around the globe to be flown at half-staff. The directive is in honor of fallen National Guardswoman Sarah Beckstrom. Specialist Beckstrom was callously shot just blocks away from the White House on Thanksgiving eve.
Trump issued the proclamation Thursday morning. Shortly after, the flags on the White House grounds were lowered.
The proclamation directs flags to be flown at half-staff “upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset” on Thursday.
“I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations,” the order adds.
The President emphasized the act as “a mark of respect for the memory of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom.”
Authorities have identified 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal as the gunman. He is accused of shooting 20-year-old Beckstrom and 24-year-old National Guardsman Andrew Wolfe. Both are from West Virginia. The shooting occurred near the Farragut West Metro Station on November 26. This location is just blocks northwest of the White House.
Trump spoke about Beckstrom during Tuesday’s cabinet meeting. He said she “was an incredible person, highly respected, top of her class… She was like a perfect human being; twenty years old, just started. She was like a baby.” Trump also added that “she loves her parents, and they loved her.”
He also provided an update on Wolfe’s condition. The Guardsman is “fighting for his life” after being critically wounded.
Lakanwal, who is from Afghanistan, entered the United States in September 2021. He arrived through former President Joe Biden’s Operation Allies Welcome following Biden’s Afghanistan withdrawal. Lakanwal allegedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” during the attack, using a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver.
Lakanwal was charged on Tuesday, per the Associated Press. The charges include “first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill, and illegal possession of a firearm.”a