National guard member wounded in DC attack is 'slowly healing', says West Virginia governor

A National Guard Soldier Wounded in DC Attack 'Slowly Healing'

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrissey has provided an update on the condition of Andrew Wolfe, a 24-year-old National Guard soldier who was critically injured in the November 26 shooting that killed his colleague Sarah Beckstrom in Washington D.C. While Wolfe remains hospitalized, Morrissey reported that "his head wound is slowly healing" and that he's "beginning to look more like himself."

In an official statement, Morrissey expressed optimism about Wolfe's recovery prospects, indicating that he'll require acute care for another two to three weeks. Wolfe joined the West Virginia National Guard in 2019 and had earned multiple commendations since his deployment.

The shooting that killed Beckstrom was attributed to Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a suspect with ties to an Afghan counter-terrorism group known as the "Zero Unit." The group has been accused of human rights abuses. Lakanwal worked with the CIA before entering the US in 2021 and was granted asylum during the Trump administration.

The incident has raised criticism against Governor Morrissey's decision to deploy National Guard troops to Washington D.C., with some lawmakers arguing that the deployment was a "strange form of political theater." Federal officials have indicated that they expect to file more charges against Lakanwal, who is currently facing first-degree murder and other crimes.

The investigation into the shooting continues, with federal prosecutors considering the death penalty against Lakanwal. The suspect's next court date has been set for January 14.

I find it quite interesting that Governor Morrissey's optimism about Andrew Wolfe's recovery is somewhat overshadowed by the ongoing controversy surrounding his deployment to Washington D.C. While it's great to see the soldier receiving medical attention, one can't help but wonder if there were alternative solutions to address the situation without mobilizing National Guard troops. The lack of clarity on the motivations behind this decision leaves much room for speculation .

Ugh I'm literally so fed up with this whole situation... Like Andrew Wolfe was just doing his job and got caught in the middle of some insane conspiracy involving CIA & Afghan counter-terrorism group. And now we're expected to feel bad for Governor Morrissey's decision because it's a "strange form of political theater"? Are you kidding me?! The man's son is fighting for his life here and suddenly it's all about politics?

And don't even get me started on the fact that Rahmanullah Lakanwal was granted asylum during Trump's admin... like what even is the point of having an asylum system if we're just gonna turn a blind eye to human rights abuses?

It's so frustrating when people focus on the Governor's decision instead of the real issue at hand - the senseless violence and lack of accountability for those responsible. I hope Andrew Wolfe gets the help he needs and that justice is served soon... but honestly, it's hard to keep a positive vibe about this whole thing

I FEEL SO BAD FOR ANDREW WOLFE AND HIS FAMILY HE WAS JUST DOING HIS JOB AS A NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIER AND NOW HE'S GOING THROUGH THIS TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE . IT'S GREAT TO HEAR THAT HE'S STARTING TO RECOVER, BUT IT'S ALSO PRETTY SCARY THINKING ABOUT WHAT HE WENT THROUGH . I HOPE THE JUSTICE SYSTEM HANDLES THE SUSPECT PROPERLY AND BRINGS HIM TO ACCOUNT FOR HIS CRIMES . GUV MORRISSEY IS RIGHT TO BE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT WOLFE'S RECOVERY, BUT IT'S ALSO UNDERSTANDABLE THAT PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS WHOLE SITUATION .

I'm thinking that it's super important to support our troops like Andrew Wolfe , even in tough times. It's awesome that his head wound is slowly healing and he's starting to look more like himself again. But can we also talk about the bigger picture? I mean, Governor Morrissey's decision to deploy National Guard troops to Washington D.C. might not have been the best idea . Some people are saying it was a bit of a publicity stunt, and that's not really what our troops should be dealing with. Anyway, I hope Andrew Wolfe gets fully recovered soon and we can all focus on supporting him

I'm not sure why people are so harsh on Gov Morrissey, I mean, he's just trying to help out his soldier friend . Yeah, there are some sketchy details about Lakanwal, but let's not jump to conclusions, you know? The guy worked with the CIA and all that, it's not like he's a total unknown quantity. And, honestly, I think the whole "political theater" thing is just a bunch of hooey . Gov Morrissey is trying to do what he thinks is best for his state, and that's all anyone can ask for. I mean, yeah, there are some questionable things about Lakanwal's past, but let's focus on getting our soldier the help he needs . He's going to be okay, I've got a good feeling about it .

.. just hope Andrew Wolfe gets back to full strength soon . This whole situation is kinda messed up, what's the point of deploying National Guard troops to DC? And that guy who did it, Rahmanullah... sounds like a real piece of work . Not sure what the plan is with charging him with more crimes, hope justice gets served .

omg i'm so glad to hear that Andrew Wolfe is slowly healing his head wound is finally starting to close and he's getting back to normal but ugh i cant even right now thinking about the whole thing that happened in DC it's just so sad that Sarah Beckstrom had to die i mean i know Lakanwal is a suspect and all but can't we just focus on Andrew recovering instead of making more drama out of this? i mean idk what's going on with Governor Morrissey deploying National Guard troops to DC but it sounds like they're doing their best to help Wolfe recover

omg lol i'm like so glad to hear that Andrew Wolfe is slowly healing!!! i mean we all thought he was gonna be in a coma forever lol what even happened with Rahmanullah Lakanwal tho? like shouldn't the CIA have checked him out better b4 letting him into the US?? anyway i'm just glad that justice is being served and that there are people looking out for Andrew btw can we talk about how cute Patrick Morrissey is tho?

I think it's great that Andrew Wolfe is on the road to recovery ! It's amazing how much progress he's made already, just thinking about him getting back to normal makes me feel a bit better . What really gets me is how intense this whole situation was - a young soldier caught in the middle of something much bigger than himself . I'm curious to see how everything plays out and if Rahmanullah Lakanwal faces justice for his actions .

omg can u blv how much my heart is breaking 4 that poor soldier Andrew Wolfe ?? he was just doing his job & got caught in the crossfire i'm so glad 2 hear that his head wound is slowly healing tho that's a huge step towards recovery but seriously, who did this to him??? Rahmanullah Lakanwal is literally scum of the earth and the fact that he got asylum during the Trump admin is just wild i hope justice is served on jan 14 when his next court date is & hopefully he gets the longest sentence possible

I'm still trying to wrap my head around this whole thing ... I mean, deploying National Guard troops to D.C. just feels like a huge security risk, you know? I get that they're there to support the police and all, but it's hard not to think that some people are doing it for the wrong reasons ... Like, what's the real motivation here? Is it really about keeping the city safe or is it more about sending a message?

I'm glad to hear that Andrew Wolfe's head wound is healing slowly... it's still a really scary and senseless thing that happened . I can understand why people are worried about the Governor deploying National Guard troops to DC, it does seem kinda like "political theater" to me . And I feel bad for Sarah Beckstrom's family who lost their loved one . It's just not right that Lakanwal got asylum during the Trump admin and now he's facing some serious charges... justice should be served . But I hope Wolfe recovers soon and gets back to his life with the National Guard

OMG, can't believe how serious that guy Wolfe's injury is Still recovering after all this time... Hope he recovers fully and gets back to his normal self soon!

Think Governor Morrissey made the right decision by supporting National Guard troops during a crisis like this? I mean, it's not just about politics, it's about showing solidarity with fallen soldiers and their families . And yeah, Lakanwal is clearly a shady character... how he got asylum under Trump and now faces murder charges is wild What's the deal with that Zero Unit group, anyway? Want more info on this case, but for now, just sending positive vibes to Wolfe

so a soldier is finally getting some attention after what happened... I guess it's good to know he's "beginning to look more like himself" , too bad he had to go through all that trauma in the first place... and another thing, 2-3 weeks of acute care? that's a whole lotta time... hoping everything goes smoothly for him .

GIF: A soldier in a helmet and vest getting bandaged

Meanwhile, some people are still mad about politics

GIF: A politician with a sheep mask on, thinking they're being stealthy

Oh, and yeah... Afghanistan's got its problems

omg I'm so relieved to hear that Andrew is slowly healing my heart was breaking when I heard about the attack and I couldn't imagine losing anyone, let alone a young soldier who had his whole life ahead of him . I do think it's weird that some ppl are questioning Gov Morrissey's decision to deploy the National Guard, I mean what else can be done to keep the public safe?

OMG, this poor soldier Andrew Wolfe is still in the hospital after getting shot ... it's just so sad that he got hurt during a crazy attack in DC . But I'm glad to hear that his head wound is slowly healing , that's definitely a good sign! As a student who's used to dealing with my own share of stress and pressure, I can only imagine how tough it must be for him right now... poor guy needs all the best vibes and wishes he gets 'em . The fact that the government is investigating the whole thing and looking into the Zero Unit group is definitely suspicious ... we need to get to the bottom of this so justice can be served . Anyway, let's all keep our fingers crossed for Andrew Wolfe's speedy recovery !