West Virginia National Guard Member in Critical Condition Following D.C. Shooting

A member of the West Virginia National Guard remains in critical condition after being shot in Washington, D.C. this week. Lawmaker Riley Moore shared the family’s plea for prayers during an appearance on “Fox & Friends Weekend.”

Moore, a Republican from Virginia, mentioned that Andrew Wolf, age 24, comes from a family dedicated to service. “His father served as a deputy sheriff, and Andy always aspired to follow in his footsteps,” he said. According to Moore, Wolf is showing resilience, but the family greatly appreciates the ongoing prayers. “They describe him as a fighter, and I believe in the power of prayer,” he emphasized.

In a separate incident, another National Guard member, Sarah Beckstrom, 20, was killed in Washington, D.C. following a shooting on the same day. The alleged shooter, Rahmanullah Rakanwal, 29, faces serious charges, including first-degree murder. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi indicated that the Justice Department is seeking the death penalty for him.

Both Beckstrom and Wolf were deployed to the capital earlier this year to help with issues of crime, a response to an executive order from former President Donald Trump.

Concerns about Rakanwal’s presence in the U.S. were raised, as he came to the country during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. Moore expressed his concerns regarding the vetting of individuals arriving under Operation Welcome Allies. “In my view, he shouldn’t have been here in the first place,” he remarked, adding that “we don’t really know who they are.”

Moore criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the situation, linking it to broader policy failures that, he argues, have led to unnecessary losses of life, including that of Beckstrom.

In a community response, residents gathered in Webster Springs, West Virginia, for a vigil to honor both Beckstrom and Wolf. The event highlighted the profound impact of these tragic events on the local community.