CHARLESTON — Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, of Martinsburg, remains in serious condition Monday but showed signs of improvement following a deadly attack in Washington, D.C., Gov. Patrick Morrisey said.
Wolfe responded with a thumbs-up when prompted by a nurse and was able to wiggle his toes, Morrisey said.
“These are small but positive steps. We are hopeful and keeping him in our thoughts and prayers,” Gov. Morrisey said.
Maj. Gen. Jim Seward, adjutant general of the West Virginia National Guard, urged continued support for Wolfe and the families affected.
“Andy’s mom has asked for prayers,” Seward said. “I spoke with her last night… please ask them to continue to pray. Continue to pray for Andy, their family, for Sarah’s family and for all of our National Guard.”
The November 26 attack occurred near 17th and I streets NW, close to the Farragut West Metro station, while Wolfe and Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, of Webster Springs, were performing security duties as part of a West Virginia National Guard deployment.
Beckstrom, a military police officer with the 863rd Military Police Company and a 2023 graduate of Webster County High School, was killed. Wolfe was critically injured.
Investigators said the gunman, identified as 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, opened fire without provocation using a .357-caliber Smith & Wesson revolver.
Federal prosecutors announced Friday that Lakanwal now faces a first-degree murder charge in Beckstrom’s death. He was initially charged with assault with intent to kill while armed and with possessing a firearm during a crime of violence.
“There are certainly many more charges to come, but we are upgrading the initial charges of assault to murder in the first degree,” U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said.
Authorities said Lakanwal entered the United States through Operation Allies Welcome and had been living in Bellingham, Washington, with his wife and five children. He is believed to have driven cross-country to Washington, D.C. He was hospitalized with non-life-threatening wounds and remains under guard.
About 160 West Virginia Guardsmen volunteered to remain in Washington to provide a visible security presence in support of local law enforcement as part of Operation DC Safe and Beautiful. Beckstrom volunteered for the mission, which began in late August.
President Donald Trump has called for additional National Guard deployments and proposed immigration reforms following the attack.
Morrisey said he supports stronger vetting measures, citing concerns about gaps in the current system.
“I applaud President Trump for his efforts… there’s going to be a lot that will be coming up in the days and weeks ahead,” Morrisey said.
The investigation remains ongoing as West Virginia officials, Guard members, and communities across the state continue to rally around the families of Beckstrom and Wolfe.
