Attorney General Pam Bondi said on Thursday the Justice Department will seek the death penalty against the Afghan national accused of shooting two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., which led to death of at least one of the victims. “Just pray, everyone pray today for these two soldiers, these two Guardsman and woman,” Bondi said, according to The Hill. “But if something happens, I will tell you right now, I will tell you early, we will do everything in our power to seek the death penalty against that monster who should not have been in our country,” she continued. “Devastated. Please pray for Sarah’s family. America will never forget her courage. There WILL BE JUSTICE for Sarah. Continue to pray for Andrew. Thank you to President Trump — the death penalty is back,” Bondi said on X, responding to President Trump’s announcement that one of the National Guard members had passed away. Devastated. Please pray for Sarah’s family. America will never forget her courage. There WILL BE JUSTICE for Sarah. Continue to pray for Andrew. Thank you to President Trump — the death penalty is back. https://t.co/OpQIrKmacI — Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) November 28, 2025 The Hill has more: The suspect, identified as Rahmanaullah Lakanwal, 29, faces three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in connection with the shooting, charges that carry up to 15 years in prison. The charges against Lakanwal could be upgraded to murder if one of the Guard members dies, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said during a Thanksgiving Day press conference. Pirro added that the man, a Washington state resident, drove across the country. At around 2:15 p.m., he allegedly shot Guard members Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24, near the Farragut Square Metro Station in the area of 17th and I streets NW in a “targeted attack.” “Sarah Beckstrom of West Virginia, one of the guardsmen that we’re talking about, highly respected, young, magnificent person, started service in June of 2023, outstanding in every way. She’s just passed away,” Trump said, according to USA TODAY. “She’s just passed away. She’s no longer with us,” he continued. “The hearts of all Americans tonight are with those two members of the West Virginia National Guard and their families,” Trump said in an address. Footage below: “The hearts of all Americans tonight are with those two members of the West Virginia National Guard and their families." Trump announced Thursday evening that one of the two West Virginia National Guard troops shot during an ambush near the White House has died. pic.twitter.com/TaXBLiRneE — Just the News (@JustTheNews) November 28, 2025 USA TODAY shared: Andrew Wolfe, the other National Guard member who was shot near the White House, remained in critical condition, is “fighting for his life” and was in “very bad shape,” according to the president. The troops were part of a “high-visibility patrol,” about two blocks from the White House, when the shooting occurred, authorities said. The suspect was identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, an Afghan national from Washington state. The suspect’s motive has not been determined. He was shot by a nearby National Guard member and remained hospitalized in “serious condition” as of Thursday,” according to authorities and Trump.