In a poignant moment preceding the West Virginia Mountaineers’ clash against the fifth-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders, the crowd at Morgantown paused in solemn reflection. The gathering came together on Saturday afternoon to honor two members of the West Virginia National Guard who had been shot in Washington, DC, earlier in the week.

The stadium’s public address announcer requested a moment of silence, as the community paid tribute to the lives and service of US Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, aged 24, hailing from Martinsburg, and 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom from Webster Springs. Their images were prominently displayed on the scoreboard, serving as a somber reminder of the sacrifices made by these young individuals.

Tragically, the two soldiers were victims of a shooting incident near the White House during their deployment in the nation’s capital. Specialist Beckstrom succumbed to her injuries, leaving a profound sense of loss, while Staff Sgt. Wolfe continues to fight for his life, listed in critical condition.

Authorities have identified the alleged shooter as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, whose actions have cast a shadow over the community. As the investigation unfolds, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those who serve, even far from home.

The suspected shooter is Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national.

The shooting happened in broad daylight, and eyewitness video has emerged showing the shooter, believed to be Lakanwal, wearing dark clothing, turning a corner with a revolver in hand while Guardsmen scramble for cover.

One of the Guardsmen was seen around a corner down a street and returned fire. Metro Police say other National Guardsmen heard the shots about three blocks away from the White House and were able to detain Lakanwal after he had been shot.

The shooter fired off 10 to 15 rounds with a .357 revolver, according to federal charging documents cited by Reuters.

Lakanwal had entered the United States in September 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, the Biden administration’s Afghan evacuation and resettlement program.

Prosecutors say he traveled across the country shortly before the attack and had no prior criminal record.

Lakanwal faces charges of first-degree murder and two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed. Attorney General Pam Bondi has said the Department of Justice intends to seek the death penalty.

Follow the latest on the National Guard shooting in Washington, DC:

Beckstrom and Wolfe were among members of the West Virginia National Guard deployed to the DC area to tackle crime in the city in response to an executive order from President Donald Trump.

Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va., told “FOX & Friends Weekend” Saturday that Wolfe is “hanging on,” adding his family is calling for prayer. 

“Andrew is fighting for his life right now, and his family and all of his friends, they’re trying to harvest as many prayers as possible from all across the country, all across the globe, to help him recover,” West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey told “Fox & Friends Weekend” Saturday.

“West Virginia cares very deeply about its guard. And there’s just a proud tradition of West Virginians who step up from military service. So, when something like this happens, it’s really a gut punch to the communities.”

As for the Mountaineers’ game, they weren’t competitive against one of the best teams in the country. The Red Raiders beat them, 49-0, to move to 11-1 on the year. West Virginia finished its season 4-8.

Fox News’ Michael Dorgan, Greg Norman and Madeleine Rivera added to this report.