West Virginia National Guard staff sergeant reunites with D.C. firefighters after surviving November downtown shooting

Reunion at a D.C. firehouse follows a high-profile attack and ongoing federal prosecution

A West Virginia National Guard service member who survived a downtown Washington shooting late last year met this week with some of the D.C. fire and rescue personnel involved in his emergency care, in a reunion that underscored both his ongoing recovery and the continuing legal case tied to the attack.

The service member, Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, was wounded in a November 26, 2025, shooting near the Farragut West Metro area in Northwest Washington during a National Guard deployment to the capital. Another West Virginia Guard member, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, was also shot and later died from her injuries the next day, November 27, 2025.

Visit to Engine 16 and continued rehabilitation

On Thursday, Wolfe and his parents visited D.C. Fire and EMS’ Engine 16, where he met firefighters and rescue personnel who were on duty at the time of the shooting and was briefed on aspects of the department’s operations. Officials declined to identify the specific personnel he met.

Wolfe has been recovering from severe injuries that included a head wound. Public updates in recent months described him as moving through acute care and rehabilitation, with ongoing therapy needs. He has also experienced aphasia, a condition that can affect speech and language following brain injury. Wolfe has been scheduled for additional medical treatment, including skull reconstruction surgery planned for March.

Honors tied to the incident

The reunion came shortly after Wolfe received a Purple Heart during the President’s State of the Union address on Tuesday. Beckstrom was also awarded a Purple Heart posthumously, presented to her parents.

Charges filed against alleged shooter

A 29-year-old Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, has been charged in federal court in connection with the shooting. Prosecutors have alleged that Lakanwal shot both Wolfe and Beckstrom. Court proceedings have included a not-guilty plea to multiple federal charges, including first-degree murder while armed.

Deployment context and local impact

The two Guard members were part of a broader National Guard deployment to Washington ordered under a federal initiative described by the administration as a response to crime. At the time of the latest updates, 170 West Virginia National Guard troops remained deployed in the District.

The case has remained a focal point for both military families and District public-safety agencies, with the criminal prosecution moving forward as Wolfe continues a long-term recovery.

• Incident date: November 26, 2025

• Location: Downtown/Northwest Washington near the Farragut West Metro area

• Victims: Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe (survived) and Spc. Sarah Beckstrom (died November 27, 2025)

• Legal status: Defendant has pleaded not guilty; federal case remains pending