Green orders US, Hawaiʻi flags to half-staff until sunset in honor of National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom

Under the direction of the President of the United States, Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green has ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Hawaiʻi to be flown at half-staff in honor of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom of the West Virginia Army National Guard.

Beckstrom, 20, was shot while on duty in Washington D.C., on Nov. 26 and succumbed to her injuries a day later, according to news reports.

Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, an Afghan national who resided in Bellingham, Wash., has been charged with first-degree murder for her death.

Another National Guard member Andrew Wolfe, 24, was critically injured in the ambush.

Flags at all state offices and agencies, as well as the Hawaiʻi National Guard, must be lowered immediately and remain at half-staff until sunset today, Dec. 4.

“Hawaiʻi stands with West Virginia and the Beckstrom family as we mourn her loss,” Green said. “We must continue working toward a future where this kind of tragedy is no longer a reality for any family, any community, or any service member. May her memory guide us toward peace and a renewed commitment to ending violence in all its forms.”

The President’s proclamation can be found here.