West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey (R) said Friday that a National Guardsman injured in last week’s shooting in Washington is “slowly healing” and that his parents reported he has begun to “look more like himself.”
In a message posted on the social platform X, Morrisey announced that a vigil would be held for U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, at Musselman High School in West Virginia’s Berkeley County.
“His parents report that his head wound is slowly healing and that’s he beginning to ‘look more like himself,’” Morrisey wrote. “Overall, the family expects that Andy will be in acute care for another 2-3 weeks but have been optimistic about his progress.”
“We continue to ask all West Virginians and Americans for their prayers!” He added. “They are making a difference!”
Wolfe is one of two West Virginia National Guard members who were shot the day before Thanksgiving near the Farragut West Metro station, which is only blocks from the White House. The other Guard member, U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died on Thanksgiving from her injuries.
Morrisey has posted public updates about Wolfe’s condition, saying at a Monday press conference that there was some “positive news” but that he refused to speculate.
“These are wonderful people, and the family is going through a very difficult situation right now as Andrew fights to survive,” Morrisey said.
Wolfe enlisted in the National Guard in February 2019. According to the West Virginia National Guard, he and Beckstrom had been deployed at the nation’s capital since August as part of the Joint Task Force-DC mission.
The suspect in the shooting, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was formally charged Tuesday in the D.C. Superior Court with first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill while armed and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence.
President Trump had previously said he invited the families of both Wolfe and Beckstrom to the White House following the shooting.
“I said, ‘When you’re ready, because that’s a tough thing, come to the White House. We’re going to honor Sarah,” Trump said, adding that both Beckstrom and Wolfe’s parents were “devastated.”
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