National Guard Member Recovering After D.C. Shooting; Suspect Pleads Not Guilty

Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, a member of the West Virginia National Guard, is showing signs of recovery after being critically injured in a shooting near the White House on November 26. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey reported that Wolfe's head wound is "slowly healing," and his family remains optimistic about his progress.

The attack resulted in the death of Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, who was also serving with the West Virginia National Guard. Both soldiers were deployed to Washington, D.C., as part of a federal initiative to combat crime in the capital.

The suspect, 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, appeared in court via video from his hospital bed and pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder and assault with intent to kill. Lakanwal, who was also injured during the incident, is accused of ambushing the guardsmen near the Farragut West Metro station.

In response to the attack, President Donald Trump invited the families of both soldiers to the White House to honor their service.

A vigil for Wolfe was scheduled at Musselman High School in Inwood, West Virginia, his alma mater, to support his recovery and honor Beckstrom's memory.