A West Virginia National Guard member is in critical condition after being shot in Washington, D.C. this week. A lawmaker mentioned that his family is asking for prayers during this tough time.
Rep. Riley Moore, a Republican from Virginia, shared on Saturday that Andrew Wolf, 24, comes from a family dedicated to service. “His father was a deputy sheriff in our neighboring county, and Andy aspired to follow that path by serving in the National Guard,” he explained.
“Andy is a fighter,” Moore emphasized. He also mentioned that Wolf’s family has consistently expressed their belief in his strength. Their main request? “They really want everyone to keep praying. I believe in the power of prayer, and I can assure you his parents do too.”
Tragically, another Guard member, Sarah Beckstrom, 20, lost her life in a shooting that occurred in the state capital earlier this week.
The suspect, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Rakanwal, is facing several serious charges, including first-degree murder and armed assault with intent to murder. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that the Justice Department intends to seek the death penalty in this case.
Both Wolf and Beckstrom were part of the West Virginia National Guard, which had been deployed to assist in addressing crime in D.C. following an executive order from President Trump earlier this year.
Interestingly, Rakanwal entered the U.S. following the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. He arrived a month later as part of Operation Welcome Allies.
Moore remarked that the president’s decision to review those who came over is a step in the right direction but expressed concern about Rakanwal’s presence in the U.S.: “In my view, he shouldn’t have come here at all. Over 80,000 Afghans arrived, and we really don’t know much about them.”
He went on to lament the past instances of terrorism, feeling it’s troubling that the government has inadvertently allowed potentially dangerous individuals into the country.
Following the deaths of service members during the withdrawal, Moore criticized the Biden administration’s ongoing policy failures, stating that they have cost another American life, linking the tragedy to the broader situation in Afghanistan. Community members in Webster Springs, West Virginia, gathered for a wake for both Wolf and Beckstrom on Friday night.
