In a harrowing incident in Washington, D.C., West Virginia National Guardsman Andrew Wolfe remains in critical condition after a brutal ambush-style shooting that tragically took the life of fellow officer Sarah Beckstrom. This grim event unfolded three days ago, leaving Wolfe clinging to life.
During an appearance on “FOX & Friends Weekend,” West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey described Wolfe’s condition as “very serious.” He emphasized the urgent need for public support, as Wolfe’s family earnestly requests prayers during this difficult time.
Governor Morrisey highlighted Wolfe’s deep-rooted connection to service, noting that his family has a long-standing tradition of contributing both locally and in the military. This legacy of service has rallied a close-knit community around Wolfe, who are steadfastly supporting him in his battle for recovery.
Earlier on the same program, Representative Riley Moore (R-W.Va) shared insights into Wolfe’s background, pointing out that Wolfe’s father serves as a deputy sheriff in Berkeley County. Wolfe’s aspiration to follow the same path of service to the nation as a National Guardsman speaks to his dedication and commitment.
While details about Wolfe’s current medical status were sparse, Moore did mention that Wolfe has undergone at least one surgery since the attack. “Andy is hanging on,” Moore stated, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Wolfe’s resilience is well-known among his family and friends, who describe him as a fighter.
“What they want most right now is for everyone to continue praying,” Moore added, acknowledging the family’s unwavering belief in the power of prayer. He urged the public to keep Wolfe in their thoughts and prayers, reinforcing the collective hope for his recovery.
Moore provided few details on Wolfe’s current condition, but said, “Andy is hanging on.” He has undergone at least one surgery since the shooting.
“He’s a fighter, and his family has told me that, time and time again, he is a fighter,” the rep added. “But above all, what they want here is for everybody to continue to pray. I believe in the power of prayer and I can promise you his parents believe in the power of prayer. … Please keep praying.”
Wolfe, a 24-year-old Air Force staff sergeant, had been deployed to the nation’s capital as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to crack down on what it has called rampant crime in major cities across the U.S. He and Beckstrom, a 20-year-old Army specialist, were shot at close range on Wednesday afternoon, just blocks away from the White House.
The alleged gunman has since been identified as 29-year-old Afghan citizen Rahmanullah Lakanwal. After firing off his rounds, he himself was shot by another member of the National Guard.
Both Beckstrom and Wolfe were hospitalized in very critical condition.
The following day, President Trump announced Beckstrom’s death during a Thanksgiving call to U.S. troops, remembering her as a “highly respected, young, magnificent person” and “outstanding in every way.”
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Lakanwal was charged with three counts of assault with the intent to kill while armed and criminal possession of a weapon. In the wake of Beckstrom’s death, U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro said he would also face a charge of first-degree murder.
The upgraded charges come after Attorney General Pam Bondi vowed to “do everything in our power to seek the death penalty against that monster.”
An investigation into the motive for the shooting remains ongoing.
According to officials, Lakanwal entered the U.S. in September 2021 through the Biden administration’s Operation Allies Welcome initiative, a program that evacuated and resettled Afghan allies who worked with the U.S. during the 20-year war against the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Getty
The suspect in the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., has been identified as 29-year-old Afghan citizen Rahmanullah Lakanwal. (Getty)
Lakanwal worked alongside the CIA in so-called “Zero Units,” groups of Afghan commandos who carried out missions planned by the agency and played a key role in the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from the country.
In the last four years, he’d been living in Bellingham, Wash, with his wife and five kids and working as a delivery driver. He applied for asylum during the Biden administration, but it was granted this year under Trump.
In the days since the shooting, the Trump administration has halted all asylum decisions and paused issuing visas for people traveling on Afghan passports, seizing on the tragedy to escalate its crackdown on immigration.
With News Wire Services
