Andrew Wolfe, a National Guard member hospitalized in critical condition after being shot in Washington, DC, is improving, West Virginia's governor said Monday, December 1, according to NBC News. Staff Sgt. Wolfe, 24, was critically wounded after Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal opened fire. The shooting killed West Virginia National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20.
Wolfe has now shown signs of improvement, Gov. Patrick Morrisey said at a news conference. The West Virginia Air National Guard even responded to a nurse's request that he display thumbs-up.
"We were told that he also wiggled his toes," Morrisey said. "So we take that as a positive sign."
Read More | DC shooting: Members of National Guard pray outside hospital in moving video | Watch
{{/usCountry}}Read More | DC shooting: Members of National Guard pray outside hospital in moving video | Watch
{{/usCountry}}Morrisey on Monday described Wolfe, who is from Martinsburg, as being in serious condition. However, he noted that his update must not be used as a definitive medical evaluation, saying, "I'm not the doctor.”
‘Every guardsman I've talked to is grieving’
Meanwhile, at the news conference Maj. Gen. Jim Seward, adjutant general for the West Virginia National Guard, said the Guard community has rallied together in grief. “We are a family of over 6,000," he said. "When we lose one, every guardsman I've talked to is grieving."
Seward said that Guard members on scene in D.C. “performed their duties as they have been trained.” "We remain confident in their ability,” he added.
Morrisey said he has spoken with President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi, and is confident in an ongoing "complete and full investigation.” Stressing that the state will not speculate, he said, "We're going to talk about this based on facts. Justice must be done — and it will be done through our criminal justice system."
Lakanwal was shot by another Guard member and taken into custody, and remains hospitalized.