Former Boyfriend Says Slain Guard Member Saw D.C. Deployment as “Pointless”

Washington, D.C. — A former boyfriend of Sarah Beckstrom — the 20-year-old West Virginia National Guard member killed in Wednesday’s ambush shooting near the White House — told CNN that she had recently described her deployment to the nation’s capital as “pointless.”

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Adam Carr, who dated Beckstrom before her death, said she grew frustrated with the strict rules placed on Guard members stationed in the city. According to Carr, Beckstrom told him that although she entered the assignment believing in the mission, she later questioned the purpose of the deployment.

“She said, ‘If we ain’t allowed to do anything, why are we here?’” Carr told CNN, adding that she had described the mission as “pointless” because troops were restricted in how they could respond to incidents on the street.

Beckstrom and another service member, Andrew Wolfe, were shot Wednesday afternoon in what federal officials called a targeted, “ambush-style” attack blocks from the White House. Beckstrom died Thursday night; Wolfe remains hospitalized in critical condition.

The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal — an Afghan national who previously served with a CIA-backed paramilitary unit — has been charged with first-degree murder and multiple related offenses.

Officials have not commented on Carr’s statements, and no additional sources have publicly confirmed Beckstrom’s reported private frustrations. Other friends and family, including state officials, have emphasized her commitment to service and described her as a dedicated soldier.

Beckstrom was deployed to Washington as part of a multi-state Guard mobilization this year. The investigation into the shooting, including the suspect’s motive, remains ongoing.