WV National Guardsmen critically injured in monstrous DC shooting by Afghan national identified as Andrew Wolfe and Sarah Beckstrom

Two Guardsmen were attacked by a gunman while on patrol near the White House. The West Virginians have been identified as Andrew Wolfe, 24, and Sarah Beckstrom, 20. Both of them were shot in the head in a targeted attack and are out of surgery. 

A post from Musselman High School in Inwood, West Virginia, identified one of the National Guard troops critically injured in an ambush attack on Wednesday as Andrew Wolfe. "Our Applemen community is deeply saddened to learn that Musselman High School alumnus, Andrew Wolfe, was one of the National Guardsmen injured in the shooting in Washington, D.C. today," read a post on the Musselman High School Facebook page.

"Andrew is currently in critical condition and undergoing surgery. Please keep Andrew, his family, and all those affected in your thoughts. We will share updates as we receive them. Once an Applemen, Always an Applemen"



Governor Patrick Morrissey addressed the attack, saying "This was an act of unspeakable violence. Our hearts, our thoughts, our prayers, go out to the brave service members who are enduring this terrible tragedy."

"We’re going to work hard. With West Virginia, I know the state stands behind the Guard. I know the president, who I just spoke to, stands behind these courageous service members and our state to get through these difficult times. Just know, we’re going to keep working to make sure justice is served," he said.

In a press briefing, Metro PD spokesperson Jeffrey Carroll said "The suspect came around the corner; he immediately started firing at the two National Guard members. At that time, there were other National Guard members in the area who were in the area. They heard the gunfire. They actually were able to intervene and to kind of hold down the suspect after he had been shot, on the ground, until law enforcement was able to get there."

The suspect was later identified as Afghan National Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, who came to the US in 2021 under President Joe Biden's Operation Allies Welcome following his disastrous withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan.

The shooting is being investigated as a terror attack and President Donald Trump has suspended processing for all Afghan immigration cases. Under the Biden administration, these cases were prioritized following the Abbey Gate bombing, which saw 13 US service members killed in Afghanistan.