Following the death of 20-year-old West Virginia National Guard Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, the federal prosecutor for the District of Columbia said the suspect now will face charges upgraded to first-degree murder.

Meanwhile, West Virginia is honoring Beckstrom’s memory.

“My baby girl has passed to Glory,” her father, Gary Beckstrom, posted on social media.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey issued a formal proclamation requesting that all West Virginians observe a statewide moment of silence or prayer at 2:15 p.m. today to honor Beckstrom and Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, who both were shot this week while on duty in Washington, D.C.

“These two West Virginia heroes were serving our country and protecting our nation’s capital when they were maliciously attacked,” Morrisey said.

COMMENTARY by T.J. ME

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