DC Shooting National Guard 2025: Farragut Square Retail in Shock After Sarah Beckstrom Death
The busy retail heart of Washington D.C. is reeling from the DC shooting National Guard 2025. Shops near Farragut Square saw chaos unfold Wednesday. Now, locals honor fallen soldier Sarah Beckstrom, 20, with flowers and flags.
At a 7-Eleven steps from the metro entrance, owner Fasil Regassa still tears up. The Ethiopian immigrant locked doors during the gunfire. He hid customers in the back. “I cried when I heard she died,” Regassa said. Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe, 24, were patrolling for Trump’s crime crackdown.
Business Owners Share Their Fear
Rosa Fuentes runs a nearby bakery. She heard shots and rushed inside. One panicked woman banged on the door. Fuentes let her in. “We were scared,” she said. Fuentes, from El Salvador, worries more troops mean more risk for guardsmen.
A Subway manager, Gyanu Sapkota from Nepal, knew Beckstrom’s face. Guards bought sandwiches often. “They are very nice,” he said. Theft dropped since August. Sapkota welcomes extra patrols. But a bank manager disagrees. “Military folks get targeted,” he warned.
• Regassa: “Made us safer – they are nice people.”
• Fuentes: “Worried for their safety now.”
• Sapkota: “Cuts theft – good for business.”
• Bank manager: “Won’t stop violence – focus on community.”
Source: Eyewitness interviews
Memorial Grows at Farragut Square
By Saturday, the Farragut Square shooting memorial swelled. Roses, flags, and notes filled planters. A Marine added challenge coins. “Stop the finger-pointing,” he urged. A note read: “Praying for all Nat’l Guard – thank you.”
One man laid flowers. He opposed the deployment but said, “She didn’t deserve to die.” Tourists paused. Cameras flashed. The site became a symbol of loss in this tourist hub near the White House.
Trump’s Plan: More Troops for DC?
President Trump vows Trump Guard deployment DC expansion. After Sarah Beckstrom death 2025, he called for “reverse migration.” Locals split: Some see safety. Others fear escalation. A cafe owner called it “another layer of protection.”
Experts warn of tension. Past surges sparked protests. Retail sales dipped 15% post-shooting. Recovery could take weeks. Community leaders push for talks, not troops.
DC Retail Reaction Shooting: Path Forward
Farragut Square thrives on visitors. Chain stores and cafes draw crowds. But fear lingers. Owners train staff on lockdowns. Parents avoid the area with kids. “We need healing,” Regassa said.
As the memorial grows, so does resolve. Vigils plan for Sunday. Trump meets Guard families Monday. DC retail reaction shooting shows a city divided yet united in grief. Watch for policy shifts that could reshape patrols.
Stay with Daily Trending News 360 for live updates on DC shooting National Guard 2025 and Farragut Square recovery.
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