Mourners gathered at a West Virginia high school this weekend to remember a National Guard member mortally wounded last week as a caring and positive person who wanted to help others.
Specialist. US Army. Sarah Beckstrom died after Wednesday. shooting in Washington DC while her seriously injured colleague, US Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe remained in critical condition. Local vigils in West Virginia have paid tribute to the soldiers in recent days, including one Saturday evening at Webster County High School, where Beckstrom attended classes.
“Sarah was the student teachers hoped for, carrying herself with a calm strength, an infectious smile and a positive energy that lifted the people around her,” said Jarrod Hankins, the school's principal. “She was sweet, caring and always willing to help others.”
Beckstrom, 20, and Wolf, 24, were assigned to the West Virginia National Guard as part of President Donald Trump's aggressive operation. crime control plan it federalized the DC police force.
29 year old man Afghan national faces one count first degree murder and two counts of assault with intent to murder with a weapon in the shooting, which prompted the Trump administration to reverse all asylum decisions and suspend visas for people traveling on Afghan passports.
Funeral arrangements for Beckstrom have not yet been finalized, according to Kathy Pettry, owner of Dodd & Reed Funeral Home in Webster Springs. Pettry said Saturday that management at the home has contacted Beckstrom's family about services.
The hometown crowd, seated in bleachers and folding chairs, lit candles after hearing words from clergy and Gov. Patrick Morrisey, who said he had visited Wolf's family earlier in the day.
Wolfe, of Martinsburg, enlisted in February 2019. He graduated from Musselman High School in 2019, according to Berkeley County Schools.
He remained in the hospital and was “fighting for his life,” Morrisey said the next day during an interview with Fox News Channel's “Sunday Briefing.”
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi told Fox News on Sunday that she also plans to meet with Wolf's family.
Morrisey called it a difficult time for the state.
Calling Beckstrom “Webster County's favorite daughter,” he said he quickly learned of her reputation as someone with a big heart who loves to serve others. Beckstrom, of Summersville, graduated in June 2023 and enlisted in the Army 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, of course, courage,” Morrisey told those gathered at Saturday's vigil. “Although her life was too short, she left a mark that will last forever.”
