National Guardsman shot in DC is ‘hanging on’ as family calls for prayer: lawmaker

A West Virginia National Guard member in critical condition after being shot in Washington, D.C. this week is “on standby,” a congressman told “FOX & Friends Weekend,” adding that his family was calling for prayers.

The family of 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe is “committed to service,” Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va., said in a statement Saturday.

“His father was a deputy sheriff in the county next to mine, and Andy wanted to follow in his footsteps and serve his country as a National Guardsman,” Moore told “FOX & Friends Weekend.”

“Andy’s hanging on. And he’s a fighter, and his family has told me over and over again that he’s a fighter,” Moore added. “But what they want here, first of all, is for everyone to keep praying. I believe in the power of prayer, and I can promise you that her parents believe in the power of prayer too… Please keep praying.”

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West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey also told “Fox & Friends Weekend” on Saturday: “Andrew is fighting for his life right now, and his family and all of his friends are trying to gather as many prayers as possible from all over the country, from all over the world, to help him recover.”

Morrisey said Wolfe’s condition “remains very serious” as of Saturday.

Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old National Guard member from West Virginia, died following a shooting in the nation’s capital on Wednesday.

The alleged gunman, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, faces multiple charges, including one count of first-degree murder and two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed. Attorney General Pam Bondi said that the Department of Justice will seek the death penalty for the suspect.

Beckstrom and Wolfe are members of the West Virginia National Guard, who were sent to the nation’s capital to fight crime in the city following an executive order from President Donald Trump earlier this year.

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People gather for a memorial service honoring National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Webster Springs, W.Va. (Kathleen Batten/AP)

Lakanwal entered the US following the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 under the Biden administration. Lakanwal arrived in the United States a month later as part of “Operation Allies Welcome.”

“The President is taking the right step by re-examining these individuals,” Moore said Saturday. “But in my opinion, he should never have been here. He should never have been in this country in the first place.” he said. “More than 80,000 Afghan citizens were massed in the United States, we don’t know these people. We don’t know who they are.”

“Terrorists have come to the USA before. I remember this is the first time that the US government brought a terrorist to our country, to the USA,” he added. “After killing 13 of our soldiers at Abbey Gate, this continued failed policy of the Biden administration has cost us another American life. We should not have been in this situation in the first place, and the beautiful young lady from West Virginia lost her life because of this failed policy of Joe Biden.”

People gather Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Webster Springs, W.Va., for a memorial service honoring National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom, one of two National Guard members shot in Washington, D.C., this week. (Kathleen Batten/AP)

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Community members in Webster Springs, West Virginia, gathered for a memorial service for Beckstrom and Wolfe on Friday night.

Fox News’ Landon Mion, Stephen Sorace and Brooke Singman contributed to this report.