"Prayers Needed"
Fighting Back: National Guard Who Was Critically Wounded in DC Attack Shows Positive Signs
U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, critically wounded in the D.C. shooting that killed Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, is showing positive signs of recovery by giving a thumbs-up and wiggling his toes, Governor Patrick Morrisey confirmed.
A National Guard member who was critically wounded in the brazen November 26 shooting attack in Washington, D.C., is showing signs of improvement, according to West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey. U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in serious condition but signaled to nurses by giving a "thumbs-up" and "wiggled his toes," the governor announced on December 1.
"We take that as a positive sign," Morrisey told reporters, adding that Wolfe's mother has asked for continued prayers for her son as he "fights to survive."
The shooting, which occurred just two blocks from the White House, tragically killed fellow West Virginia National Guard member Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, who died on Thanksgiving, a day after the attack. Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, is charged with first-degree murder in the incident.
Deployed for Crime-Fighting Mission
Both Wolfe and Beckstrom, who hailed from Martinsburg and Summersville, West Virginia, respectively, were deployed to the nation’s capital as part of President Donald Trump’s initiative to combat crime in the district, a mission that the governor praised as "working." Morrisey confirmed that the approximately 170 West Virginia National Guard troops deployed to D.C. had volunteered for the mission.
"My heart goes out to the family of the two individuals who were despicably gunned down in Washington, D.C.," Morrisey said.
Honoring the Soldiers
Wolfe, who entered service in February 2019 and is assigned to the 167th Airlift Wing’s Force Support Squadron, graduated from Musselman High School in 2019. The school praised him as an "active, engaged and high-achieving student," and released a statement asking the community to keep Wolfe, his family, and other deployed Guard members in their thoughts.
Meanwhile, tributes poured in for Beckstrom, who entered service in June 2023 and was assigned to the 863rd Military Police Company. Governor Morrisey said Beckstrom, who was honored at a vigil, was an "amazing woman who lifted up people with a smile," adding that her life was "tragically cut short by this terrible act of terrorism."
Webster County High School, Beckstrom’s alma mater, said they were saddened by the news and noted that her decision to serve reflected the "strength, character, and commitment" the school hopes to instill in its students. President Trump also paid tribute to both soldiers during a recent White House Christmas party. Authorities continue to investigate the motive for the brazen daytime attack.