One of the two West Virginia National Guard members shot near the White House has been identified as Andrew Wolfe, a Musselman High School graduate now fighting for his life.
Wolfe was rushed into surgery and remains in critical condition after 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal allegedly opened fire on him and a female National Guardswoman near the Farragut West Metro Station in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday (November 26).
The shocking assault is under investigation as a possible terrorist attack.
“Our Applemen community is deeply saddened to learn that Musselman High School alumnus, Andrew Wolfe, was one of the National Guardsmen injured in the shooting in Washington, D.C. today,” the West Virginia school posted on Facebook.
“Please keep Andrew, his family, and all those affected in your thoughts," they added.
Andrew Wolfe was identified as one of two National Guardsmen shot near the White House on Wednesday. Credit: Facebook
Friends Rally As Wolfe Clings To Life
Loved ones flooded social media with messages of support, sharing memories and prayers for the soldier.
“Please pray for my dear friend Andrew Wolfe,” one post read. Another friend wrote, “Oh Andy! So many good times and great memories at our house! We love you so much Andrew Wolfe. Keep fighting Buddy!”
Wolfe, who is also an avid cornhole competitor, was highlighted in a post from the Beltway Baggers, a regional cornhole group affiliated with the American Cornhole League.
“As we head into Thanksgiving, please keep our friend in your prayers. He was shot today while serving our country,” the group wrote on Facebook, along with a photo of Wolfe flashing a peace sign. “We’re praying for his strength, healing, and for his family during this incredibly difficult time. We love you Andy!”
The identity of the female National Guardswoman, who was reportedly shot in the chest and head, has not yet been released.
Trump Demands Mass Review Of Afghan Refugees
Speaking from Palm Beach, Florida, President Donald Trump called the attack “an act of terror” and demanded sweeping immigration crackdowns.
“We must now re-examine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan under Biden,” Trump said. "And we must take all necessary measures to ensure the removal of any alien from any country who does not belong here, or add benefit to our country. If they can’t love our country, we don’t want them.”
According to The Guardian, Lakanwal, an Afghan national who was granted asylum earlier this year, was also wounded in the shootout and is now in custody. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
Trump tore into Biden’s vetting process, calling Afghanistan “a hellhole on earth” and declaring the shooting proof of a broken system.
“He was flown in by the Biden administration in September 2021, on those infamous flights that everybody was talking about,” he said.
Authorities say the ambush unfolded when Lakanwal “came around the corner” and “immediately started firing a firearm at the two national guard members,” Washington Metropolitan Police official Jeffrey Carroll said.
Video footage from the scene showed officers rushing to subdue the shooter and giving CPR to one of the victims.
National Guard troops have been stationed across D.C. since August, when the Trump administration declared a “crime emergency”.
Roughly 2,375 troops are currently deployed, with Trump confirming an additional 500 Guardsmen were ordered to the capital after Wednesday’s bloodshed.
While a federal judge recently ruled Trump’s National Guard deployment unlawful, the decision isn’t set to take effect until next month, and the administration is appealing.