National Guardsman shot in DC ambush making 'extraordinary progress': doctor

The West Virginia National Guardsman who was shot last month in an ambush in Washington, D.C., is making "extraordinary progress," his neurosurgeon says.

On Nov. 26, Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, was hospitalized after Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal allegedly shot him and fellow National Guard member Spec. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, outside the Farragut West Metro station. Beckstrom died of her injuries the following day.

Lakanwal was also shot before being subdued and pleaded not guilty to a first-degree murder charge through a video call from a hospital.

Wolfe's neurosurgeon, Jeffrey Mai, said in a statement on Friday that Wolfe received a “critical” gunshot wound to his head, and was airlifted to MedStar Washington Hospital Center, the Washington Post reported.

Mai said that the quick-acting first responders and the actions of trauma and neurosurgery teams saved Wolfe’s life by controlling the bleeding and pressure on his brain. He said that Wolfe’s recent recovery developments are “important milestones that reflect his strength and determination.”

“Staff Sgt. Wolfe has made extraordinary progress,” Mai said. “Based on these improvements, he is now ready to transition from acute care to inpatient rehabilitation as the next step in his recovery journey.”

He added that Wolfe’s family, including his father, Jason, and mother, Melody, have chosen not to disclose the location of his rehabilitation.

Wolfe and Beckstrom were among more than 2,000 Guard members deployed to D.C. after President Trump began a crackdown on crime in the city in August.

Wolfe’s parents said in a statement released by MedStar on Friday that they hope their son will be able to return to work in the West Virginia National Guard “and his new mission of being a light into this world.”

“Please continue to lift Andy up in prayer as he begins a long and tough rehabilitation,” Jason and Melody Wolfe said. “We know he will continue to improve at a rapid pace.”

Earlier this month, West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey (R) said that Wolfe’s “parents report that his head wound is slowly healing and that he’s beginning to ‘look more like himself.’”