CaliToday (02/12/2025): In a beacon of hope amidst a national tragedy, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey announced Monday that Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, the National Guard soldier critically injured in last week’s terror attack near the White House, is showing vital signs of responsiveness.
Wolfe, 24, who was ambushed alongside his unit, managed to offer a "thumbs up" and wiggle his toes upon a nurse's request. These small but monumental movements indicate positive neurological function following emergency surgery, though he remains in critical condition.
"Andrew is still fighting for his life. Andrew needs prayers," Governor Morrisey stated, rallying the people of the Mountain State to support their wounded son.
A Heroic Sacrifice: The Heartbreaking Loss of Spc. Beckstrom
While Wolfe fights for recovery, the nation mourns the loss of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, who was killed in the same assault.
New heartbreaking details reveal the depth of Beckstrom’s character. She had voluntarily taken the fatal shift so that her fellow soldiers could return home to visit their families for the Thanksgiving holiday. She was struck in the head and chest and succumbed to her injuries shortly after.
The Attack: Chaos and Courage
The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon while the soldiers were on patrol as part of a deployment ordered by President Trump to combat crime in the capital. The attacker, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, opened fire on the unsuspecting guardsmen.
The attack was halted by the sheer bravery of two other soldiers in the unit:
One soldier, armed only with a small pocket knife, fearlessly charged and tackled the gunman.
A second soldier then neutralized the threat with gunfire.
Lakanwal survived the encounter and is currently hospitalized, facing charges of first-degree murder.
The Suspect: From CIA Asset to Radicalized Terrorist
The Department of Homeland Security, led by Secretary Kristi Noem, has classified the shooting as a terrorist attack. Disturbing details have emerged regarding Lakanwal’s background:
Origin: An Afghan national who arrived in the U.S. during the chaotic 2021 withdrawal.
Background: A former member of an elite Afghan unit trained by the CIA to fight the Taliban.
Motive: Officials believe he became radicalized after entering the U.S. and settling in Seattle. Reports suggest he suffered a mental breakdown stemming from the violence he witnessed during his service in Afghanistan.
Standing with the Troops
Sgt. Wolfe and Spc. Beckstrom were part of a contingent of 170 West Virginia National Guard troops—among 2,200 total deployed to D.C. Governor Morrisey emphasized that the state’s top priority is now the welfare of the remaining troops and the grieving families.
"We are laser-focused on the safety and health of the remaining 170 service members, and we are praying for them," Morrisey affirmed.