On a somber Wednesday afternoon, Fasil Regassa found himself overwhelmed with grief as he recounted the tragic events surrounding the shooting of Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old member of the National Guard. The young soldier was shot mere feet from Regassa’s 7-Eleven store in Washington, D.C., a bustling area filled with tourists, corporate offices, and restaurants. Regassa, who operates the store with his wife, both immigrants from Ethiopia, said he was heartbroken upon hearing of Beckstrom’s death.
“Initially, I cried when I heard she died,” Regassa told CNN, capturing the communal anguish shared by many in the neighborhood following the incident. He locked the doors of his store when gunfire erupted, ushering the few customers inside to a safer area in the back. This swift action, though panic-inducing, was necessary amidst the chaos unfolding just outside.
The shooting incident unfolded near the Farragut West Metro Station and involved Beckstrom and her fellow guard member, Andrew Wolfe, 24, who were both targeted by a lone gunman. Tragically, Beckstrom succumbed to her injuries later that evening. The soldiers were deployed to the nation’s capital during a law enforcement surge ordered by then-President Donald Trump in August of this year. Regassa noted that the presence of National Guardsmen in the district had previously made the area feel safer. He fondly described the guards who frequented his store as “completely nice people.”
This tragic incident unfolded in an area known for its bustling energy and daily foot traffic, yet the shooting sent shockwaves through the local business community. Rosa Fuentes, the manager of Tatte Bakery & Cafe, also experienced the panic firsthand when the gunfire erupted. Without hesitation, she secured her restaurant, allowing customers to shelter inside. Subsequently, she witnessed the terror experienced by others as she saw a woman run past her establishment, visibly shaken. “We were scared,” Fuentes shared, illustrating the pervasive atmosphere of fear that spread throughout the neighborhood.
Reflecting on the sad incident, Fuentes, who has a 23-year-old daughter, felt the weight of Beckstrom’s death deeply, empathizing with the grieving family. As an immigrant from El Salvador, her experiences left her conflicted about the ongoing military presence in the area. Initially hopeful that a larger National Guard presence might provide safety, she hesitated, worried for their well-being as well.
Others in the community expressed similar sentiments. Witnesses to the shooting described the harrowing moments of locking doors and seeking shelter as police converged. A manager from a nearby cafe emphasized the unexpected nature of the violence, noting the generally low-profile approach taken by guard members in the vicinity. Yet, the temptation to call for more guards was met with skepticism by some local bank managers, who expressed concerns about the potential risks associated with having military personnel present in an urban area.
Amid the unfolding tragedy, many in the community came together to mourn and express their support. A makeshift memorial began to grow at the site of the shooting, filled with flowers, notes, and tokens of gratitude for the sacrifice made by Beckstrom. One Marine, who chose to remain unnamed, took a moment to reflect at the memorial site, expressing his disgust over the political discourse following the tragedy and underscoring the importance of honoring the service and sacrifice of soldiers.
As the community processes this heart-wrenching event, discussions around safety, the role of the National Guard, and the ongoing complexities of urban violence are likely to continue. The collective impact of Beckstrom’s death will surely resonate for some time, triggering conversations that question how to best balance safety with community well-being in a vibrant urban center. The echoes of this shooting may not fade quickly, as they prompt collective introspection about the safety and security of those who serve and protect, whether within the military or the civilian realm.
