The surviving West Virginia National Guardsman who was shot by a terror suspect near the White House is showing positive signs of recovery – but remains in critical condition, his home state’s governor said Monday.
Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, has begun flashing a thumbs up and moving his toes when asked by nurses if he can hear their questions.
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey (right) asked the public to pray for Sgt. Andrew Wolfe. AP“Andrew is still fighting for his life,” Morrisey said. “Andrew needs prayers.” U S Army National Guard/UPI/Shutterstock
“Andrew is still fighting for his life,” West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey said Monday. “Andrew needs prayers.”
Wolfe was rushed to a hospital in critical condition after being shot alongside 20-year-old Spc. Sarah Beckstrom while on patrol Wednesday afternoon in Washington, DC.
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Beckstrom was shot in the head and chest, and later died of her wounds.
The alleged gunman, 29-year-old Afghan immigrant Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was also shot and stabbed in the altercation and remains hospitalized.
A motive for Lakanwal’s alleged attack remains unknown.
But Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem announced Sunday that the alleged killer is believed to have been radicalized after coming to the US in 2021.
Lakanwal was part of a CIA-trained outfit of Afghanistan locals who battled the Taliban during the US’ involvement in the country.
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Rahmanullah Lakanwal is charged with one count of first-degree murder and two counts of assault in the shooting. US Attorney’s Office/AFP via Getty Images
He reportedly suffered a mental breakdown over the violence he saw with the unit, but was allowed to move to the Seattle area after the US’ chaotic pullout from the Middle Eastern country in 2021.
The shooting has been deemed a terror attack, and Lakanwal has been charged with first-degree murder.
Lakanwal was subdued by two National Guardsmen who heard the gunfire and sprang into action. One was armed with nothing but a pocket knife and managed to take the alleged terrorist down, while the other shot him.
Wolfe and Beckstrom were among about 2,200 National Guard troops stationed in DC as part of the president’s crime-fighting deployment to the capital.
About 170 of them were from the West Virginia Guard, and had volunteered to stay on in November after the deployment was reduced.
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Beckstrom had even volunteered for duty the day she was shot so that others could go home to be with their families for Thanksgiving.
“Our sole focus right now is looking after the well-being of the 170 service members who are on the ground, focusing on the family, assuring that prayers are going out,” Morrisey said of the remaining West Virginia troops.
CHELYAN, W.Va. — A West Virginia Turnpike worker was injured Saturday after falling out of a tollbooth that was hit by a truck.
State police said it happened Saturday morning at about 9:16 when a truck carrying steel I beams, driven by Cameron Huntington, 28, of Colorado hit a southbound tollbooth near Chelyan.
John Terry, 61, of Gallagher, was working the tollbooth and fell out the window after contact from an I beam caused the booth to rock.
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The tollbooth fell to the right striking a vehicle in the next lane.
Troopers said there were no serious injuries.
Huntington was ticketed for failure to maintain control of his truck.
PENNSBORO, W.Va (WDTV) – Racing enthusiasts around the state had the chance to see vintage race cars and motorcycles at the annual West Virginia Racing Heritage Festival Saturday.
The festival teaches attendants about West Virginia’s history in dirt track racing with both cars and motorcycles.
The festival was held at Pennsboro Speedway, which opened in 1887 and hosted some of the nation’s top racing talent on its tracks.
“We’ve got so many national champions here,” WV Racing Heritage Festival President Ashley Ness said. “This racetrack has seen all these national champions. We’ve had the best in the United States, including Australia and New Zealand, come here and race at Pennsboro Speedway. It’s time to get them all back again.”
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Racing legends who come from the Mountain State attended the festival to speak about their experience on the tracks.
One panel included six women who competed in flat-track motorcycle racing at a time when it was mostly dominated by men.
“We have six of the lady flat-track racers that were pioneers in the 60s and 70s,” Ness said. “It’s so important to get this documented, and that’s what the Heritage Festival is all about, documenting the history of dirt track racing, whether it be motorcycles or race cars.”
Vintage cars and motorcycles also got back in action with a parade lap on the tracks of Pennsboro Speedway.
The festival began in 2015 and will continue next year on June 5.
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Editor’s note: The video for this story will be added once it airs. Please check back for the updated video.
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