A National Guard member injured in a recent shooting in Washington, D.C., has shown signs of improvement, according to West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey. Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in serious condition but reportedly responded to verbal commands and demonstrated toe movement, as communicated by his family.
The Incident and Casualties
Wolfe and Sarah Beckstrom, 20, both members of the West Virginia National Guard, were on patrol near the White House on Thanksgiving eve when a gunman opened fire. Beckstrom sustained fatal injuries and died on Thursday. Both individuals had been deployed to the capital in August following a directive regarding crime prevention efforts. These deployments have faced criticism from local Democratic leaders and federal court judges.
Suspect Information and Charges
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, has been apprehended and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting. Authorities state Lakanwal traveled from Washington state to D.C. for the alleged shooting. Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, has announced plans to pursue terrorism charges and the death penalty if either soldier died.
Suspect's Background and Volunteer's Account
A refugee resettlement volunteer, who had worked with Lakanwal's family, reported concerns about Lakanwal's mental state, noting periods of isolation and symptoms consistent with withdrawal. The volunteer stated they did not observe signs of radicalization but expressed worry about Lakanwal's well-being. Lakanwal previously served in an Afghan counterterrorism unit operated by the CIA before being evacuated to the U.S. in 2021. According to the volunteer, Lakanwal experienced difficulties with employment and adjustment to life in the U.S., leading to increasing isolation and instances of unannounced cross-country travel.
Immigration Policy Adjustments
Following the shooting, the administration implemented changes to immigration processes. All visa reviews for individuals from Afghanistan, including special immigrant visas for those who assisted the U.S. military, have been paused. Additionally, all asylum decisions have been halted until an existing backlog of over one million cases is addressed, as stated by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Veterans and refugee advocates have expressed criticism of these policy adjustments, arguing against penalizing an entire community for the actions of one individual.