Thomas Burke, national president of Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), said the shooting of two West Virginia National Guard members in downtown Washington, D.C. must be met with “full accountability.”
Authorities have described the Nov. 26 shooting, in which 20-year-old Specialist Sarah Beckstrom was killed and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe was critically wounded, as a targeted ambush.
“This attack was not only an assault on two service members; it was an assault on the uniform they wore, the flag they served, and the nation they swore to defend,” said Burke. “It was a deliberate, senseless act of violence that must be met with full accountability.”
“VVA calls on federal and local authorities to investigate and prosecute this crime with the full force of the law,” said Burke. “Justice must be certain, and the safety of those who wear America’s uniform must remain an unwavering priority.”
Burke said Beckstrom “represented the best of a new generation of Americans who step forward voluntarily to protect our nation,” and described Wolfe as embodying “the quiet courage and resilience of our National Guard,” while urging continued prayers for his recovery.
The shooting occurred near Farragut Square just blocks from the White House, where Guard members were conducting a high-visibility patrol, reported the Associated Press. One of the guardsmen returned fire, and fellow National Guard members subdued the suspect at the scene.
The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was taken into custody and now faces charges including first-degree murder and assault with intent to kill, reported by the Washington Post. The FBI is leading the investigation.
Burke also said his organization stands ready to support the families of Beckstrom and Wolfe “in the days and years ahead,” and reaffirmed its pledge that “never again shall one generation of veterans abandon another.”
VVA is a national nonprofit founded in 1978 that advocates for veterans on issues including health care, benefits, mental health services, and veterans’ rights, according to the organization’s official website at vva.org. Its membership includes veterans from the Vietnam War and subsequent conflicts.
