In a gesture of respect and mourning, President Donald Trump has directed that flags be flown at half-staff at the White House on Thursday to honor Specialist Beckstrom. The young soldier’s untimely death has cast a shadow over the nation’s capital, underscoring the risks faced by those who serve.

While the presidential order specifically mentions the White House, it remains uncertain whether other federal buildings will follow suit and lower their flags in remembrance of Beckstrom’s service and sacrifice.

The incident that led to this tragedy occurred on November 26, when Beckstrom and another member of the National Guard, 24-year-old Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, were shot in broad daylight. Sadly, Beckstrom succumbed to her injuries on Thanksgiving Day, while Wolfe continues to fight for his life in critical condition.

Following the shooting, authorities quickly apprehended 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who is now in custody as investigations continue into this grievous act.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office said Lakanwal, an Afghan national who worked with the CIA during the Afghanistan War, would face one count of first-degree murder and two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed.

He pled not guilty in court earlier this week, appearing before a judge remotely from the hospital, where he has been detained since the attack because of injuries sustained during his capture. 

Trump called the shooting a “terrorist attack” and criticized the Biden administration for enabling Afghans who worked with U.S. forces during the Afghanistan War to enter the U.S. The president has said he wants to “permanently pause migration” from poorer nations and expel millions of immigrants from the country.

The director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Joseph Edlow, said in a post on the social platform X that asylum decisions will be paused “until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible.”