Hero National Guardsman Responsive After DC Attack
The heroic West Virginia National Guardsman who survived last week’s deadly shooting in Washington, D.C. is now showing signs of recovery, according to West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey.
Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in serious condition but is responsive to medical staff. During a Monday press conference, Morrisey described encouraging updates from hospital personnel. “We were told that Andrew was asked if he could hear, the nurse who asked the question to give a thumbs up, and he did respond,” said Morrisey. “We were told that he also wiggled his toes. So, we take that as a positive sign.”
Wolfe was shot alongside fellow Guardsman Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, who tragically succumbed to her injuries. Both soldiers had only been sworn in a day before the attack, part of President Donald Trump’s mission to restore safety and order to the capital.
“They were uniformed members of the West Virginia National Guard, and they were in D.C. to keep D.C. safe pursuant to President Trump’s executive order to make DC safe and beautiful,” said U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro. “They answered the call, they took the charge, they volunteered, they put their lives on the line for people they don’t even know.”
The shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, entered the United States in 2021 through Joe Biden’s “Operation Allies Welcome” — a program that resettled over 77,000 Afghan nationals during the administration’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Lakanwal, granted asylum in April, now faces upgraded charges of first-degree murder and could face the death penalty. Federal officials say more charges may follow as the investigation unfolds.
President Trump squarely blamed the Biden administration. “This attack underscores the single greatest national security threat facing our nation. The last administration let in 20 million unknown and unvetted foreigners from all over the world,” he said.
In response, Trump has halted asylum decisions and moved to suspend all visa issuance to Afghan nationals.