West Virginia Governor Morrisey Mourns Fallen Guard Member, Calls for Prayer After D.C. Attack

CHARLESTON, WV – West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey has called for a statewide moment of prayer and ordered flags to half-staff following a tragic incident in Washington, D.C., that left one West Virginia National Guard member dead and another critically injured. The governor's announcement came after he visited the families of the affected troops and the remaining Guard members stationed in the nation's capital.

Governor Morrisey issued an official proclamation on Friday, ordering all U.S. and West Virginia flags to be lowered through the end of the year in honor of Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, of Summersville, who died from her gunshot wounds, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, of Martinsburg, who remains in critical condition. "These two West Virginia heroes were serving our country and protecting our nation’s capital when they were maliciously attacked," Morrisey stated, asking West Virginians to observe a moment of prayer. He emphasized their courage and commitment as representing "the very best of our state."

The shooting occurred Wednesday afternoon at the Farragut Square Metro Station, where Beckstrom and Wolfe were part of a 160-strong contingent of West Virginia National Guard members volunteering in Washington, D.C. Federal law enforcement identified Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, as the alleged shooter, describing the event as an "ambush." Lakanwal was reportedly shot and taken into custody by nearby Guard members and local law enforcement.

U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., called for the maximum federal penalty for the suspected shooter, potentially including the death penalty, stating, "I agree that attack on our military, on our law-enforcement… it should be charged at the highest level." Capito also raised concerns about the vetting processes for individuals granted asylum, noting Lakanwal was granted asylum in April 2025 after entering the U.S. in 2021.

Governor Morrisey, who traveled to D.C. on Thursday, affirmed that the state's Guard members would remain in their deployment. "One of the things I am most convinced of is when you have these terrorists, when you have these evil-doers, you’re not going to back down when these people try to go after our service men and women," he said. He added that the people of West Virginia "stand united in condemning this cowardly and evil act" and honor both service members.